The Future of Obesity Care: The Role of Multidisciplinary Teams and Emerging Therapies

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Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease with complex causes and wide-ranging health implications. As new treatment options, such as advanced pharmacotherapies, emerge alongside established interventions like bariatric surgery, the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach has never been greater. At Soma Bariatrics, we are proud to offer the only fully integrated multidisciplinary team (MDT) for obesity and metabolic surgery in the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar. This unique approach ensures that every patient benefits from tailored, evidence-based care.

A Holistic Approach to Obesity Treatment

The management of obesity requires more than just addressing physical weight loss—it demands a coordinated strategy to treat the medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the disease. A multidisciplinary team includes:

  1. Surgeons: Experts in performing effective, durable procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

  2. Dietitians: Providing individualized nutritional plans to support pre- and post-treatment success.

  3. Psychologists: Addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of obesity, such as disordered eating or self-esteem issues.

  4. Physical Therapists: Creating customized fitness regimens to support recovery and maintain health.

  5. Primary Care Physicians: Monitoring and managing obesity-related conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

This integrated model allows us to optimize patient outcomes by addressing the multifactorial nature of obesity.

Integrating New Therapies into Multidisciplinary Care

The rise of new anti-obesity medications offers exciting opportunities to complement traditional treatments like bariatric surgery. However, these advancements also introduce new questions:

  • How do we decide between surgery, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both?

  • What are the long-term impacts of these medications compared to surgery?

  • How can we personalize treatment to maximize effectiveness for each patient?

A multimodal approach, as seen in cancer care, could provide answers. Combining therapies—such as using medications before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after surgery (adjuvant)—can enhance patient outcomes and reduce complications.