If you've been searching for a telehealth obesity medicine clinic in Missouri, you may already know that finding a doctor who treats weight and metabolic health with compassion — not judgment — can make all the difference. In a recent episode of the Modern Metabolic Health Podcast, host Dr. Lindsay Ogle, MD sat down with Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery, one of the newest physicians to join Missouri Metabolic Health, to talk about her path into family medicine, why she pursued obesity medicine, and what patients can expect when they work with her.
Below, we're breaking down the highlights of that conversation — and what it means for anyone in Missouri managing obesity, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, or type 2 diabetes.
A Missouri Native Bringing Family Medicine to Obesity Care
Dr. Montgomery is a Missouri native, born and raised in southeast Missouri, who completed college in St. Louis and medical school in Kirksville before returning to St. Louis to practice. She's board certified in family medicine and is currently completing her obesity medicine certification, with boards scheduled for this fall.
Her path into obesity medicine grew naturally out of her family medicine background. Growing up in a smaller town without easy access to specialists, the doctors she saw — and later shadowed — were primary care and family medicine physicians. That whole-person approach to health stuck with her throughout her training.
As she explains it, most of the chronic conditions family medicine physicians manage every day — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes — are either caused by or worsened by obesity. Treating the underlying disease of obesity, rather than just its downstream effects, is what drew her toward this specialty.
Obesity Is a Chronic Disease — Not a Failure of Willpower
One of the most important themes of the conversation is one that guides everything Missouri Metabolic Health does: obesity is a chronic medical condition, not a personal failing.
Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery puts it simply: obesity deserves to be treated the same way we treat high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Patients can do "everything right" with diet and exercise and still struggle with their weight, because hormones and neurotransmitters play a major biochemical role in weight regulation. That's exactly why medical treatment — not just willpower — is often part of an effective plan.
This is a core philosophy at Missouri Metabolic Health: the goal isn't a number on the scale. It's better long-term health.
Debunking Common Myths About GLP-1 Medications and Weight Loss Safety
With medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro increasingly in the headlines, Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Ogle addressed some of the most common misconceptions patients bring up:
- "Is losing weight with medication unsafe?" Physicians who specialize in obesity medicine closely monitor patients to make sure weight loss is happening at a healthy pace and isn't causing unwanted effects. The goal of any medication is always improved health, not rapid weight loss for its own sake.
- "Am I taking medication away from people with diabetes who need it?" This is a common concern patients raise, and one Dr. Montgomery regularly addresses with education about how these medications work and are prescribed.
- Media portrayals versus medical guidance. There's a real difference between using GLP-1 medications under the guidance of a dedicated primary care or obesity medicine physician versus obtaining them without medical oversight online. When these medications are prescribed and monitored by a qualified physician, the focus stays on long-term health outcomes — not just weight loss.
When Does Medication Make Sense?
So how do you know if a medication like a GLP-1 is the right fit for you versus focusing on lifestyle changes alone? According to Dr. Montgomery, a few signals stand out:
- You've already tried lifestyle changes and aren't seeing the results you need. Many patients come to obesity medicine after trying diet and exercise strategies on their own without reaching their goals.
- You have related conditions that benefit from treatment beyond weight loss alone — things like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease. In many cases, one treatment can help address multiple health goals at once, which also means patients may be able to reduce or stop other medications over time.
This is one of the aspects of obesity medicine that both physicians find most rewarding: treating the root cause of multiple chronic conditions, rather than managing each symptom separately.
Removing Stigma and Shame From Weight Care
A recurring theme throughout the episode is stigma. Many patients come into obesity medicine carrying negative past experiences with healthcare providers — feeling shamed, judged, or blamed for their weight.
Dr. Montgomery is direct about her approach: there's no place for shame in obesity care. Her role isn't to judge patients, but to work alongside them to figure out the next best step toward better health.
How do you know if you've found the right doctor for you? Look for:
- A sense of trust and comfort bringing up any concern, without fear of judgment
- A provider who listens and works with you, not just at you
- The confidence to seek a second opinion or a different provider if the fit isn't right — which is always okay
Personalized Plans, Not One-Size-Fits-All Advice
Obesity treatment isn't a single protocol applied to every patient. Dr. Montgomery emphasized that what works for one person may not work for the next — whether that's a exercise routine, a nutrition approach, or a medication plan. A recommendation that isn't realistic for someone's actual life and schedule simply won't work, no matter how sound it looks on paper.
That's why individualized care — built around a patient's goals, lifestyle, and preferences — leads to better long-term outcomes than generic advice.
What to Expect as a New Patient
Patients who are ready to seek help for obesity are often already motivated, and Dr. Montgomery says one of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching patients start to see results and feel better — and celebrating those wins together.
Her approach to care is enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and collaborative. The goal isn't just how patients feel today, but supporting their future health as well.
Schedule a Telehealth Appointment With Missouri Metabolic Health
If you're living in Missouri and managing obesity, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, or type 2 diabetes, Missouri Metabolic Health offers telehealth appointments with physicians like Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery and Dr. Lindsay Ogle who combine family medicine expertise with specialized obesity medicine training. Care is personalized, judgment-free, and focused on your long-term health — not just weight loss.
👉 Schedule your appointment with Missouri Metabolic Health here
Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery on the Modern Metabolic Health Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician about what is right for you.
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