GLP 1 and Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Patients How Do You Become an Advocate

What does it actually take to become a patient advocate in obesity care?

In this episode of Weight and Measure, we bring together leading voices across obesity medicine, patient advocacy, and policy to explore how individuals move from lived experience to meaningful impact.

As obesity continues to be recognized as a chronic disease, the role of patient advocacy is becoming more critical in shaping access to care, influencing policy decisions, and improving long term health outcomes. From GLP 1 based therapies to Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, patients are no longer just participants in care. They are becoming active drivers of change.

Joining the conversation are:

• Robert Kushner, MD• Michele Tedder, RN• James Zervios• Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RN

Together, we break down how advocacy actually happens in the real world.

This episode covers:
• How patients learn to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for better care
• Where clinical intent and lived experience can disconnect
• The role of GLP 1 therapies in expanding awareness and access to obesity care
• How Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery patients are shaping advocacy efforts
• The impact of patient voices on policy, insurance coverage, and treatment access
• How organizations like the Obesity Action Coalition support advocacy development
• Why community and shared experience are critical to building confident advocates
• The importance of events like the Your Weight Matters Convention in empowering patients

Whether you are a patient, clinician, or healthcare professional, this episode provides a clear look at how advocacy is evolving and why it matters for the future of obesity care.

GLP 1 advocacy, bariatric surgery advocacy, metabolic surgery advocacy, obesity advocacy, patient advocacy, obesity care, GLP 1 medications, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, obesity medicine, healthcare policy, insurance coverage, Obesity Action Coalition, Your Weight Matters Convention, chronic disease advocacy, patient voice, metabolic health

Links

https://www.obesityaction.org/

YWM Regional: https://www.yourweightmatters.com/

YWM National: https://www.ywmconvention.com/?utm_source=zach