Drawing from my three-decade-long journey as a physician in medical weight management, I invite you to join me in a course that delves deep into the complexities of treating obesity. My professional trajectory began before bariatrics was primarily associated with surgery, leading me to serve twice as the President of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) since the late 1980s. Our mission? To equip physicians with the skills and knowledge to treat obesity as a serious health condition – a far cry from the simplistic "Eat less. Exercise more" mantra of the time.

Over the years, our society has evolved into the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), broadening its horizons to welcome a diverse range of healthcare professionals, including PhDs, NPs, PAs, psychologists, and behavioralists. This move towards inclusivity reflects our commitment to a more holistic approach in tackling the obesity epidemic.

In my years of practice, I've observed an unfortunate disparity: while a plethora of pharmacological agents have been developed for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and autoimmune diseases, our toolbox for managing obesity has remained limited. A distressing reality, considering even a modest weight loss of 3% can significantly improve conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes.

The tide, however, is turning. Our understanding of obesity as a complex disease is growing, prompting the development of an increasing number of pharmacological solutions. Today, pharmacology stands as the fourth pillar in a comprehensive obesity treatment plan, accompanying nutrition, physical activity, and behavior modification, and occasionally complemented by a fifth pillar – bariatric surgery.

Imagine an individual burdened by overweight or obesity as a car needing to travel to a healthier destination. Now, picture a new anti-obesity medication, such as Wegovy, as a state-of-the-art tire. However, if the company merely suggests, "Our tire is to be used with other tires," it feels like a puzzle missing its pieces, doesn't it?

The question arises: what are the right tires to complement Wegovy? Where do you find and install these additional tires, representing specific diets, exercise regimes, and behavior changes? Amid the multitude of options on the market, understanding and implementing the most suitable ones can be overwhelming.

This is precisely where our online course, "Wegovy: What's Missing?" comes in. Despite Wegovy's potential, its guidelines fall short in providing a comprehensive plan for nutrition, physical activity, and behavior modification. The official prescribing information, spanning nearly 18,000 words, offers scant detail on these vital components of obesity management.

It's almost as if we're back to the overly simplistic mantra of "Eat less. Exercise more." It reminds me of the famous 1849 epigram by Alphonse Karr, "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" – the more things change, the more they stay the same.

My goal with this course is to bridge this knowledge gap. I want to provide you with detailed instructions that are often missing from pharmaceutical guidelines, to empower you on your journey to better health and longevity. Together, we can navigate this path, dispel the confusion, and embrace a healthier future.