Kathleen and Ken Korp
“I've struggled with my weight my entire life,” said Kathleen Korp of Pleasant Prairie. “I was 7 years old when I realized I was the biggest kid in my class. When my mom bought me T-shirts, they were an adult medium size, while all the other kids wore a children’s large.”
“I did my first weight loss program when I was in fifth grade,” Korp recalled. “I tried again in eighth grade, in junior high and high school, in my 20s, and again when I was almost 40. That time, I lost 100 pounds but put it all back on in just six months.”
After years of trying different ways to lose weight, she realized she needed a new primary care physician. That’s when she met Dr. Sarah Ramadani at Froedtert South, a family medicine doctor who is also dual board certified in obesity management.
“Every doctor I’ve seen in the past immediately brought up my weight, no matter what I was seeing them for,” Korp said. “Dr. Ramadani is the first who truly listened to me, respected me and didn’t mention my weight until I brought it up myself. I love that she sees me as a whole person.”
Leading an expanded focus on weight loss
“Weight loss has been a lifelong struggle for many people,” Dr. Ramadani said. “They’ve tried every fad diet and are tired of losing weight only to gain it back. These patients want a realistic, long-term solution. As a specialist in both family and obesity medicine, I understand that many factors can prevent people from controlling their weight. That’s why there are many advantages to tackling weight management in a hospital setting.”
“Here at Froedtert South,” Dr. Ramadani said, “our practice has transitioned to focusing exclusively on weight management, and we have created a new practice that brings together our amazing experts from various specialties, along with the many resources at our disposal, to help patients lose weight and improve their quality of life. Our approach involves a comprehensive evaluation to fully understand each patient’s overall health, including factors such as mobility issues, autoimmune conditions, sleep apnea, existing prediabetes or diabetes, thyroid disease, as well as psychological or socioeconomic issues that may also impact their weight.”
“Froedtert South’s comprehensive approach is very convenient for me because everyone I work with already knows what’s going on with me,” Korp said. “It’s also much more effective. I’ve learned that I have severe sleep apnea and undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I’m now seeing specialists to address these issues, but if I hadn’t gone to see Dr. Ramadani, I wouldn’t even be aware of them and understand how they affect my weight.”
Dr. Sarah Ramadani
New weight loss medications
“We’re seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people like Kathleen who are contacting us about weight loss,” Dr. Ramadani said, “in part because of the increased awareness of GLP-1 weight loss medications that we often see advertised on TV. These medications are appropriate for some patients, especially those that struggle with frequent hunger or food noise, but they can also aggravate certain preexisting GI issues. That’s why my nurse practitioner, Stephanie Brown, and I work carefully with each patient to ensure these medications are right for them, but we also emphasize the importance of combining these medications with lifestyle changes including a whole-food plant predominant diet, physical activity — especially strength training/weight resistance exercise — and optimal sleep. And here’s some exciting news: New weight loss medications are on the horizon that are taken orally rather than by injection.”
“Dr. Ramadani prescribed a GLP-1 medication for me,” Korp said, “and it’s really working. It has eliminated my obsession with eating and changed the way I view food. For example, at a recent work event, I chose some trail mix and vegetables, passing up the sweets. In the past, I would have eaten cake and cookies and even taken some home with me. The medication has changed everything for me.”
Winning at weight loss
“After just two weeks working with Dr. Ramadani, I knew this time was going to be different,” Korp said. “I have lost 77 pounds. My clothes fit better, I can move again, and my health issues are improving. I can walk downstairs, do the laundry and take my dog for half-mile walks. That would never have happened in the past.”
“In my work and other areas of life, I feel more confident about jumping into things that I wouldn’t have previously done,” Korp said. “After seeing the progress I’ve made, my husband is now working with Dr. Ramadani. He’s already lost 22 pounds in the last couple of months.”
“Kathleen is not alone,” said Dr. Ramadani. “She is one of many patients who have shown that lasting change is possible with the right guidance. Through our compassionate, evidence-based care, we are helping patients achieve realistic and sustainable results.”
“Success, for me, is when a patient tells me they feel better, have more energy and can keep up with their kids and grandkids,” Dr. Ramadani said. “I want everyone in our community to know that there is hope for them, no matter how much weight they want to lose or if they are looking to simply improve their quality of life.”
“Dr. Ramadani really listens to me, and I never feel rushed so she can move on to her next patient,” Korp said. “I tell everyone I know who has struggled with their weight that I know somebody who can help them. Dr. Ramadani is simply amazing.”
Obesity by the numbers
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:
- Obesity is a serious, common and costly chronic disease.
- More than 2 in 5 adults in the U.S. are obese.
- Many obese adults have other serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Obesity accounts for nearly $173 billion in medical expenses.
For more information, visit froedtertsouth.com.
