Top 3 Weight Loss Specialists in Houston, Texas (Board-Certified)

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By: Aleem Kanji, M.D.
A doctor evaluates a patient's weight loss by encircling their midsection with a measuring tape.

You are looking for the best doctors in Houston to help with weight loss, but Google search results show questionable “quick weight loss” clinics and unhelpful Yelp ratings (that could be incentivized). You don’t know who you should trust. If that’s you, then you’ve come to the right place!

To help you on your weight loss journey, we created a list of the best, board-certified, obesity medicine doctors in Houston. (In non-medical terms, doctors specialized in weight loss.)

The author of this article is board-certified in obesity medicine, endocrinology, and internal medicine and is not included in the list. This article is a transparent resource for individuals of the Houston community seeking professional weight loss care from a qualified doctor. We have no financial relationship with the listed doctors or their employers. Furthermore, we reached out to the doctors on the list to include what makes them special and their approach to weight loss care.

Why you need a board-certified doctor for weight loss

When you look closer at the many “quick weight loss” clinics from Google search results, you see a pattern. First, it is difficult to determine who assesses and treats patients. A doctor? Nurse practitioner (NP)? Physician assistant (PA)? Second, these clinics are selling the same “quick fix” to every individual: purchase a package with an appetite suppressant or “fat burning” injection.

Your health and weight management is unique to you. Would you trust a quick, cookie-cutter package for your health? You require a thorough medical evaluation, personalized weight loss plan, and review of options ranging from different medications to bariatric surgery. A board-certified obesity medicine doctor can perform a thorough medical evaluation and create a personalized weight loss plan with you.

Criteria for listed doctors

1) A physician (M.D. or D.O.)

2) Trained in either family medicine or internal medicine

  • Family medicine is a 3-year residency completed after medical school. Family medicine doctors are trained in preventive care, chronic disease management, and the diagnosis and treatment of illness in children and adults.
  • Internal medicine is a 3-year residency completed after medical school. Internal medicine doctors are trained in preventive care, chronic disease management, and the diagnosis and treatment of illness in adults.

3) Board-certified in obesity medicine

Obesity medicine is the specialty of medicine dedicated to the prevention and treatment of the chronic disease of obesity.

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certifies physicians in obesity medicine. You can search for a physician and their board certification status here.

4) Practice in Houston, TX (can include surrounding areas of Houston)

Important notes:

– Currently, this list does not include surgeons who treat obesity (bariatric surgeons). Bariatric surgery is an important treatment option. Bariatric surgery can effectively reduce body weight and improve metabolic health. A medical evaluation and review of treatment options should include discussion of bariatric surgery.

– Doctors on the list may have additional specialty training beyond family or internal medicine. Examples include endocrinology, gastroenterology, or sports medicine. Additional specialty training is not required to be listed.

Best board-certified doctors for weight loss (in no particular order)

Deborah Horn, D.O.

Headshot of Dr. Deborah Horn

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What makes Dr. Deborah Horn special?

Dr. Horn is a leader and authority in the field of obesity medicine, and she plays an active role in educating physicians in the field of obesity medicine. Dr. Horn is the Fellowship Director for the Clinical Obesity Medicine Fellowship, in addition to being the Medical Director for the UT Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance.

Dr. Deborah Horn’s Background and Credentials

Deborah B. Horn, DO, MPH, is committed to the long-term treatment of the disease of obesity. By utilizing the latest technology and medical support, her comprehensive approach to care includes improvement in obesity associated co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis pain.

Dr. Horn graduated college from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology at the University of Colorado at Boulder and her medical degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Preventive Medicine residency at the University of South Carolina and her Family Medicine residency at the Methodist/Cornell program in Houston. Dr. Horn also holds a Master’s of Public Health and Physical Activity from the University of South Carolina. She specializes in obesity medicine and metabolic performance. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

Dr. Horn is the Medical Director for the UT Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance. She is former faculty at the world renowned Duke University Diet and Fitness Center. Dr. Horn is committed to an individualized approach to the medical care of patients with an emphasis on balanced comprehensive treatment in the realm of obesity and metabolic performance. She is an international leader in the field of obesity medicine and serves globally to bring integrated care focused on improved health lifestyle to her patients.

When not seeing patients, Dr. Horn is a physical activity enthusiast and enjoys running, indoor cycling, strength training, pilates, and paddle boarding.

Sejal Desai, M.D.

Headshot of Dr. Sejal Desai

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What makes Dr. Desai special?

Dr. Desai is a double board-certified Obesity and Family Medicine physician, who understands that obesity is a disease caused by a complex interplay among genetics, the environment, and many other factors. She treats her patients holistically by addressing the medical, social, and emotional aspects of their lives. By combining science-based medicine with individualized obesity treatment, she helps guide her patients along their journey to achieving long term weight loss success.

Dr. Sejal Desai’s Background and Credentials

Dr. Sejal Desai earned her undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree at American University of the Caribbean (AUC) Medical School. She completed her residency at Michigan State University, where she served as chief resident during her final year.

Dr. Desai, who has practiced in Houston since 2012, is board certified in family medicine. Before moving to Houston, she practiced in Austin and Southern California. She sees patients of all ages and speaks Guajarati. With a primary clinical interest in weight loss medicine, she works with patients to achieve a healthy weight and reduce the risk of developing long-term complications such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke and certain cancers. Other clinical interests include disease prevention and health maintenance.

Her patients rate her highly on her thoroughness of examinations, clarity of instructions, friendliness and caring attitude. They describe her as compassionate and professional and report feeling very comfortable with her.

Anisha Gupta, M.D.

Headshot of Dr. Anisha Gupta

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What makes Dr. Gupta special?

Dr. Anisha Gupta is a triple board-certified Endocrinology and Obesity specialist who provides weight loss management via a multifactorial approach. Her program at Endocrine & Metabolic Health Associates focuses on making sustainable changes to a patient’s diet, exercise and hormonal balance in a way they can easily adopt and maintain long term. One of her goals is for each patient to achieve weight loss that comes off and stays off. Weight regain is one of the biggest hurdles people battle with, and acknowledging this barrier is another pillar of her weight loss philosophy. In her practice, Dr. Gupta uses close follow up with personalized recommendations on how to adjust one’s diet and exercise, weight loss medications, and other great resources to help patients find the most success! Appointments are available for both in person and virtual consultations.

Dr. Anisha Gupta’s Background and Credentials

Dr. Anisha Gupta is originally from South Florida and attended the University of Miami’s prestigious 7- year Honors Program in Medical Education for both her undergraduate and medical training. She earned her medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2013 before moving to Houston, Texas to begin her career in medicine. She completed an Internal Medicine residency followed by fellowship in Endocrine, Diabetes and Metabolism, where she served as chief fellow, at Baylor College of Medicine.

During her fellowship, she pursued an interest in Obesity Medicine and Weight Loss with additional training at the University of Texas in Houston and was chosen to receive a generous travel grant from the American College of Endocrinology to attend the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Wellness Center in Aurora, Colorado for further training in this field. She is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Obesity medicine.

She sees general endocrine patients with a focus on Obesity Medicine and Weight Loss. She currently runs a weight management program with avenues for bariatric surgery for those who qualify. She provides body composition analysis, dietary as well as exercise advice. She manages her patients both in the office and with the use of telemedicine.

Conclusion

Your health and weight loss goals are too important to trust a questionable weight loss clinic selling you a quick fix. You need a board-certified obesity medicine doctor to listen to your concerns, perform a thorough medical evaluation, and create a personalized weight loss plan. Your qualified doctor will follow and support you throughout your weight loss journey.

We hope this transparent resource helps educate and guide every individual in the Houston community looking for professional weight loss care. Please share with anyone who may benefit.

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