Have you ever wondered if you're getting the correct diagnosis regarding your weight?
What if the number on the scale or your BMI doesn’t tell the whole story about your health?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jaime Ponce, President and Medical Director of the Weight Loss Center of Chattanooga, for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about how obesity is diagnosed, why BMI is outdated, and how we can approach treatment more effectively and compassionately.
We talk through how obesity is a complex, chronic disease—not just a matter of willpower or size—and how you can be overweight without technically having a diagnosis of obesity. But here’s the truth: excess weight can still impact your health. It’s not something to brush off or wait to treat. Dr. Ponce explains that conditions like preclinical obesity—when the damage is starting even before a formal diagnosis—can be just as serious and deserve clinical attention. If you’ve tried to lose weight for years or decades with no lasting success, you’ll walk away from this episode with one clear message: this is not your fault, and more effective and personalized treatment options exist. Let this conversation be the start of your transformation.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- (00:55) Dr. Ponce shares his professional journey and discusses obesity rates worldwide
- (08:32) Discussion of the disease called obesity, and BMI is not a good indicator of obesity
- (15:01) Identifying obesity, overweight, and preclinical obesity
- (25:21) Quality of life is a part of clinical obesity, and a thorough evaluation with your doctor
- (37:20) The healthcare system doesn’t recognize obesity for what it is
- (39:53) Time to spread the word—bariatric surgery changes lives.
- (49:30) Dr. Ponce advises anyone considering bariatric surgery
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- You don’t need an official obesity diagnosis to take excess weight seriously—any amount can affect your health, even as outdated views still delay proper treatment.
- Obesity is a complex, individualized disease that requires tailored treatment approaches — not every person with obesity has the same internal damage or health risks.
- Managing obesity is a lifelong process, not a one-time fix — even after initial success with surgery or medication, the disease can persist or recur.
- Stigma and fear often keep people from seeking obesity treatment, but real patient stories are powerful tools to raise awareness and break down those barriers.
RESOURCES:
Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment. https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community
Want to see bonus content? Head over to Patreon to get more and to support the podcast for as low as $5 per month! https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast
GUEST RESOURCES:
Jaime Ponce MD (@JaimePonceMD) / X
Jaime Ponce, MD - President - Weight Loss Center of Chattanooga PLLC | LinkedIn
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Weight Loss Center of Chattanooga
BIOGRAPHY:
Past-President of the ASMBS (2012-2013), honored with the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award (2023), now President and Medical Director of the Weight Loss Center of Chattanooga
ABOUT:
If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.
About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need and when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.