Q. I'm considering popular obesity medications like Wegovy; from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) doctor's perspective, which approach do you recommend?

Having experienced the dizziness and exhaustion of extreme dieting and strong medications myself, I can tell you that every treatment has its pros and cons. Conventional medical treatments offer rapid and powerful appetite suppression. However, gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting are common, and the 'yo-yo effect' (weight regain) immediately after stopping the medication is a persistent challenge. Traditional Korean Medicine takes a more long-term approach. Rather than forced starvation, we focus on clearing 'Dameum' (痰飮, accumulated metabolic waste/phlegm-fluid) and treating 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, deficiency of the Spleen/digestive system) to improve overall metabolic capacity. The primary advantage is that you can lose weight while improving your general physical condition and maintaining your energy levels, although the initial weight loss may be slower than with pharmaceuticals. Ultimately, the core question is not which method is superior, but 'what can my body currently tolerate?' If you have a weak digestive system or are suffering from severe fatigue, I recommend focusing on constitutional improvement over aggressive medication. If you visit the clinic, we can analyze your current state together to find the safest and most effective path for you.