10 doctors you can avoid by losing weight

Why lose weight? For some, it’s about feeling good in their jeans. Others crave more energy. But for those struggling with obesity or excess weight, losing weight may be about something even more significant: improved health. 

One big reason is the toll extra weight takes on the body. Obesity and excess weight often are triggers for other health conditions. And these additional conditions often come with additional doctor visits, medical specialists, and health care bills. 

The good news is that research and clinical practice show that some weight-related health conditions are improved or even reversed with weight loss. Read on to discover ten docs you may be able to say “bye” to (or see less often) after losing weight. 

The sleep specialist

“I’ve been using Found for a little over a year and a half, and my quality of sleep has improved so much,” says Found member Zarya Dahl*. “Not only am I able to sleep longer, I also wake up more comfortable.” 

If your sleep is regularly disrupted or you wake feeling tired, excess weight may be to blame. Having obesity or excess weight places you at greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. 

Dr. Areti Vassilopoulos, assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine and clinical content lead for Sleep Reset, says those with greater body mass can improve sleep quality by losing weight. “For those with sleep apnea,” she says, “losing weight can alleviate symptoms, making breathing easier at night and reducing the likelihood of waking frequently.” 

The cardiologist

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Over 80% of patients with coronary heart disease have excess weight or obesity, which makes weight loss a convincing preventative measure. 

With excess weight comes increased pressure on the heart due, in part, to an accumulation of fat around heart muscle and the buildup of fatty material in the arteries. Additional factors (like tobacco use or family history) can influence heart disease no matter your weight.

But, for those with obesity or excess weight, losing weight has shown promise. In an observational study involving more than 5,000 patients, published in Diabetes Care, patients with type 2 diabetes who lost 5% to 10% of their body weight saw reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors in the year following their weight loss. Those who lost 10% to 15% had even more significant improvements in blood pressure, glycemic control, and lipids. 

The mental health specialist 

If depression or anxiety are present in your life, embarking on a weight loss journey may be a valuable tool. A systemic review in the Journal of Personalized Medicine and a study in Nutrients concluded that, after weight loss, depressive symptoms in patients with obesity decreased and self-esteem increased. 

“The impact on mental health due to weight loss can be immense,” says Niloufar Esmaeilpour, registered clinical counselor and founder of Lotus Therapy & Counselling Centre in Vancouver, B.C. “Empowerment, confidence levels, and increased levels of energy lead to a good mood and better psychological resilience.”

Esmaeilpour notes, though, that the weight loss process itself can elicit complex emotional responses, especially if there’s internalized pressure to hit specific success benchmarks. Using a support program like Found and/or continuing to work with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, until the weight is lost can help. 

“Social support is important because it helps people stay motivated, deal with body image issues in a healthy way, and handle mood swings, which often come with weight loss,” Esmaeilpour says. 

The endocrinologist

Endocrinologists specialize in diagnosis and treatment of hormone-related conditions, including prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. For those with prediabetes, losing weight may help delay the onset or decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

In a Q&A on weight loss and type 2 diabetes, William T. Cefalu, MD, director of the division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explained how significant weight loss can improve blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes. This improvement in blood sugar levels can lead to remission and minimize or prevent complications from the disease, he noted. However, sustaining weight loss long-term is key to maintaining remission, Dr. Cefalu added. 

The rheumatologist

Excess weight often equals increased joint pain. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, being 10 pounds overweight increases the load on a knee joint by 30 to 60 pounds with each step. Those with a BMI greater than 30 are 6.8 times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis. (Use our BMI calculator to find your BMI.)

Even moderate weight loss has been shown to improve osteoarthritis symptoms and even slow disease progression. Found member TayCe Cooper* lost 80 pounds and can speak to the benefits of weight loss on joint relief. “The impact on my knee and joint pain has been significant,” she says. “With weight loss, the strain on my knees decreased, movements are easier, and I no longer have pain.” 

The fertility specialist

For those who want to expand their family, infertility issues can cause confusion and grief. When seeking solutions, many paths promise improved outcomes. For those with excess weight or obesity, losing weight may help. MacGregor Lennarz, a cofounder of Gyna Fertility, says weight loss is one of the most effective ways to improve ovulation and increase the possibility of conception for someone with excess weight or obesity. 

“A meta-analysis of 40 independent studies found that, for overweight women, weight loss resulted in a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of conception,” he says. “Research also shows that weight loss can ‘jump-start’ ovulation, which is a crucial first step for many women. One review found that losing just 5% to 10% of body weight can significantly enhance ovulation rates.” 

The pulmonologist

Nearly 60% of adults with severe asthma in the U.S. have been diagnosed with obesity, and 250,000 new asthma cases per year are related to obesity. Add to those stats the fact that people with excess weight or obesity are less likely to find relief in standard asthma therapies, and you have some great reasons to seek weight loss as a way to avoid the pulmonologist. 

In other good news, weight loss can improve asthma symptoms. After participants in a six-month online weight loss intervention study lost at least 5% of their initial weight, they experienced improved asthma control and increased overall quality of life. 

The podiatrist

Just as excess body weight increases force on the knees, carrying extra pounds also impacts the feet. Specifically, a systemic review of 51 studies found a clinical association between higher BMI and plantar fasciitis, or heel pain caused by inflammation of the band of tissue that runs from the toes to the heel. 

While the pain can be debilitating, losing weight can provide some relief. “Before Found, I had crippling plantar fasciitis,” Found member Libby Daniel* says. “I was going to the chiropractor, I was taking ibuprofen, I was getting cortisone shots in my feet. After losing 30 pounds, I felt my feet getting better. After 65 pounds, my feet no longer hurt—no more doctors or cortisone shots.”

The ophthalmologist

Eye health may not be the first thing you think of with obesity, but carrying extra weight can impact every organ, including the eyes. “While diabetic retinopathy is the most common sight-threatening complication, diabetic patients are also at higher risk for cataract and glaucoma,” says Nancy Holekamp, MD, principal global medical science director at Roche Pharmaceuticals and a former professor of ophthalmology at the Washington University School of Medicine. 

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness that’s caused by damaged blood vessels. Dr. Holekamp says she has seen patients reverse diabetic retinopathy with weight loss. 

The urologist

Both men and women are at risk of urinary incontinence—and chances increase with obesity and excess weight. With every five-unit increase in BMI, urinary incontinence risk increases by 20% to 70%. 

Luckily, both men and women can reduce incontinence issues with weight loss treatment. For women in one study, losing 5% to 10% of body weight resulted in moderate to great satisfaction with improvement in the amount of leakage. In another study, weight loss of roughly 10% resulted in reduced lower urinary tract symptoms in men with obesity. 

About Found

Found is among the largest medically-supported telehealth weight care clinics in the country, having served more than 250,000 members to date. To start your journey with Found, take our quiz.

*Found members quoted in this piece are real users who are paid to share their experiences. Individual results vary. Found clinicians work with patients to determine the best option for each subscriber. However, the ultimate decision as to whether a patient is qualified for a medication rests with the provider. This content does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor or health care provider.