Dr. Robert Wegner has spent the past 20 years prioritizing health and fitness for his clients and patients. After college, he was a certified personal trainer and a franchisee of Gold’s Gym in Chicago. He eventually went back to medical school and received fellowship training in metabolic surgery (laparoscopic gastric bypass). Currently, he is the only fellowship-trained metabolic surgeon in Memphis whose practice is exclusively focused on this specialty. For the past 14 years, he has served patients as the program director at St. Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss and has performed over 5000 weight loss surgeries.
“Obesity is a metabolic and hormonal disease, not an issue with willpower. With one operation, I can give a patient the tool to completely change their lives, cure many of their comorbidities, and eliminate the need for many of their prescription medications.”
In recent months, weight loss has been “trending” more than ever. With the advent and prolific utilization of popular hormone-based weight loss medications (GLP-1 agonists), the pursuit of “quick,” dramatic weight loss has become almost as mainstream as its leading advocates — social media and celebrity endorsements.
“The medications mimic gastric bypass surgery by reducing hunger through slowing digestion and gastric emptying. However, if you stop the medication, you lose the effects and resume the risk of regaining the weight and the return of obesity-related conditions. Many consumers are unaware of this. These medications are very expensive and require lifelong use.”
While Dr. Wegner agrees that these medications have a very important role in weight loss for the right patient, new evidence confirms that metabolic surgery is still the best option for patients with morbid obesity.
“New data verifies that metabolic surgery has a greater effect on weight loss; it has a notable impact on reducing multiple comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, acid reflux, high cholesterol, joint pain, risks of multiple forms of cancer, PCOS, and infertility, to name a few. It is covered by insurance and is a more cost-effective way to treat obesity.”
Wegner adds, “It is a one hour surgery, a one night hospital stay, and a one week recovery with results that often last the rest of the patient’s life.”
Dr. Wegner enthusiastically recommends metabolic surgery as the gold standard for the long-term treatment of morbid obesity, and those who are candidates (BMI over 35) should consider surgery as a first-line treatment.
“I think surgery is considered a last resort because of the fear factor. That is understandable but couldn’t be more incorrect. Our technology and techniques have improved dramatically over the past few decades. The surgery has a safety profile on par with laparoscopic gallbladder removal.”
Dr. Wegner serves his patients with authenticity. “I truly believe in a healthy lifestyle.” He works out every day and consumes the same diet he prescribes to his patients: a balance of lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and free of processed foods and drinks. This core value of prioritizing his own health allows him to compassionately care for his patients and is a major contributor to their success.
“We also manage social, dietary, and psychological issues surrounding the patient’s disease of obesity. We treat the whole person.”
Dr. Wegner and his team have changed thousands of lives over the past 14 years of his practice. He states, “My patients are my biggest advocates. The number one thing I hear them say after surgery is, ‘I wish I would have done this sooner.’”
St. Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss: Sfmp.com/locations/detail/saint-francis-center-for-surgical-weight-loss
For the current data on surgery vs. GLP-1 visit: Eurekalert.org/news-releases/1047418
By Amanda Tompkins
Photo by Tindall Stephens
