Article Category: Highlights
6 Weight Loss Questions Answered by Our Experts
Published on September 26, 2025
Last updated 01:19 PM September 26, 2025
People who want to lose weight have more options than ever before. However, deciding which one to pursue can be a challenge. Should you go for lifestyle changes alone? Consider weight loss surgery? Or look into injectable weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy?
We asked two Wellstar physicians to weigh in on this popular topic—and their answers might surprise you.
Dr. Lisa Hilton
is director of minimally invasive and
bariatric surgery
at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center and director of the Center of Obesity and Metabolism at Augusta University.
Dr. Mitzi Rubin
is a family medicine physician and director of the
Wellstar Center for Best Health.
Here’s what these two experts have to say about obesity, treatment options and the importance of a comprehensive approach to weight loss.
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Highlights
Think PINK: Raise Your Breast Cancer IQ
According to the
American Cancer Society,
more than 316,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. this year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, apart from skin cancer, and second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death in women.
It’s important for women to know the symptoms and schedule regular screenings to detect breast cancer early. Remember PINK—Prevention, Information, Next steps and Knowledge—to guide your awareness.
Keep reading
P: Prevention
The best way to detect breast cancer early is by staying connected with your healthcare provider and keeping up with regular visits and screenings, including mammograms.Who should get screened, and when?
Annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. Women with additional risk factors or a family history should speak with their provider about starting screenings earlier.I: Information
Research and learn as much as you can about breast cancer. Knowing the signs and symptoms could save your life.What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Some symptoms may be spotted early. Knowing what to look and feel for can help catch breast cancer before it progresses:- Lump in the breast or underarm
- Breast swelling or thickening
- Redness or flaking skin on the breast
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Change in breast size or shape
- Pain in any area of the breast
N: Next steps
When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can feel scary. At Wellstar, you don’t have to face the process alone. Our Comprehensive Breast Health Program offers complimentary concierge services, automatically enrolling patients with abnormal mammogram results. Dedicated nurse navigators guide you through each step of the diagnostic process—helping with scheduling, answering questions and supporting your physical and emotional well-being. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to partner with your care team to plan your treatment.What happens after a breast cancer diagnosis?
- Schedule a follow-up visit. Meet with your healthcare provider to ask questions about your diagnosis and treatment options.
- Consult with specialists. At Wellstar, breast surgeons and oncologists work as part of an integrated team to recommend treatment tailored to your condition. Patients also have access to advanced imaging, leading facilities and experts in surgery, radiology, pathology and oncology.
- Explore STAT Clinic. At the Breast Cancer STAT Clinic at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, a full team—including a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, genetic counselor and nurse navigator—meets with you in one place on the same day. Together, they create a personalized treatment plan before you leave, helping reduce the time from diagnosis to treatment from months to just two weeks. This patient-centered model brings the specialists to you, ensuring the most seamless, supportive experience possible.
K: Knowledge
Knowing your personal health, family history and risk factors helps your care team determine if you may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer. For women ages 24 to 39, Wellstar has partnered with Gabbi to offer a personalized, virtual breast cancer risk assessment. The program provides next-day virtual visits with specialists, coordinated imaging at Wellstar and 24/7 concierge support.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
- Age. Risk increases as women get older.
- Family history. Having a relative with breast cancer—or a male relative with prostate cancer—can increase risk.
- Previous radiation therapy. Radiation to the chest for other cancers or lymphomas may increase risk.
- Past diagnosis. A previous breast cancer diagnosis raises the likelihood of recurrence.
Highlights
Let’s Talk About Mom’s Mental Health
Being a mom* is hard. From the moment your baby is born, everything changes. New moms often feel tired, worried and overwhelmed. But sometimes, the feelings go beyond just being tired. Some moms experience serious mental health concerns—and we need to talk about it.
Maternal mental health means how a mother feels in her mind and heart during pregnancy and after giving birth. Many moms go through things like depression, anxiety or even scary thoughts. This is more common than people think. 1 in 5 moms experience perinatal depression. Mental health disorders—including substance overdose and suicide—are now the No. 1 cause of maternal death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are some factors that can make it more likely for a mom to struggle with her mental health, including:
- History of depression or anxiety
- Difficult pregnancy or birth
- Not having support from family or friends
- Money problems or job stress
- Feeling alone or not having time to rest
- Race as a social construct (1 in 3 Black women may experience a mood disorder during or after pregnancy)
Even though many moms need help, it can be hard for them to access it. There are barriers to care, or things that can get in the way. Some moms are afraid to speak up because they worry people will think they are a bad parent. Others may not know where to go for help. Some moms don’t have health insurance or live far from a doctor. These problems can make it harder to get better. In addition, not all obstetrics clinicians have had sufficient training on the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and management of mental health medications during pregnancy and/or lactation.
The good news: Help is out there. Mental health challenges after having a baby are treatable. And there are options that really work. Talking to a therapist—virtually or in person—can help moms feel heard and understood. Sometimes medicine can help too. Support groups, where moms can talk to each other, are also helpful. Getting rest, eating healthy and having help with the baby can make a big difference.
It’s very important that moms—and the people around them—know the signs of a mental health concern. Some signs to look for include:
- Feeling very sad, angry or empty for days
- Not wanting to eat or sleep
- Feeling like you can’t bond with your baby
- Having scary thoughts or feeling like you might hurt yourself or others
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you love, speak up. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength to ask for help. Every mom deserves to feel well and cared for.
Let’s be honest: Moms are superheroes. But even superheroes need support. We need to make sure that every mom knows she’s not alone. We must make it easier to talk about mental health. We must listen without judgment. And we must make sure help is easy to find.Healthy moms mean healthy families. When we take care of mothers, we take care of our whole community.
If you’re a mom who’s struggling, please know this: You are not alone. You are not to blame. And you can get better. Speak up, reach out and know that there are people who care and want to help. Ask your obstetrics care team and see these resources for moms and families.
Resources for patients and families
1. Postpartum Support International (PSI)
PSI offers education, training and resources for professionals working with families during the perinatal period. They also provide a clinician directory, helpline and certification programs.
Helpline: (800) 944-4773 (Text “HELLO” to (800) 944-4773)
This project focuses on maternal mental health support for Black and brown birthing people. They offer culturally competent resources, education and support groups and provide training opportunities for clinicians looking to improve care for underserved populations.
3. MotherToBaby
This organization provides expert, evidence-based information about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their team also offers live chat and phone consultations.
Helpline: Call or text (866) 626-6847
Resources for clinicians
This is a free psychiatric consultation service for Georgia clinicians caring for pregnant and postpartum patients. They offer provider-to-provider support on screening, diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.
2. Postpartum Support International Professional Resources
This group provides clinician training, consultation and certification in perinatal mental health. They also offer a perinatal psychiatric consultation service.
3. LactMed (Drugs and Lactation Database)
This is a National Institute of Health resource for up-to-date, evidence-based information on medications and their compatibility with breastfeeding.
Find a Wellstar behavioral health specialist near you or find a Wellstar OB/GYN.
*Mom and mothers are used throughout this article. However, I recognize and respect that not all birthing parents identify as female. At Wellstar, we believe in honoring every voice.
Highlights
Out of Sight, Still a Threat
Five years ago, you probably had hand sanitizer in your car, a thermometer in your bag and a mental checklist for every sniffle. That was life during COVID. But these days? It’s easy to forget what once felt urgent.
The same thing happens with men’s health—especially prostate cancer. For a brief moment, maybe after a friend was diagnosed or during a Movember campaign, it’s top-of-mind. But if nothing seems wrong, it quickly slips to the back burner.
That’s a problem—because prostate cancer doesn’t wait until you’re ready.
At Wellstar, we see too many men surprised by late diagnoses. Why? Because they felt fine. Because they had no symptoms. Because they believed some version of the same three myths:
“Prostate cancer doesn’t kill men.”
Actually, it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in men. When caught early, it’s highly treatable. But when ignored, it’s dangerous.
“I don’t have symptoms, so I’m good.”
Most early-stage prostate cancers are completely silent. No pain, no urinary issues, no warning. That’s why screening matters.
“Testing leads to side effects.”
Screening doesn’t mean treatment. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is a simple tool that helps guide the next steps. Many men with slow-growing cancers don’t need surgery—just monitoring. For those who do need treatment, options are far more precise and less invasive than they used to be.
Still, fear or discomfort around the prostate keeps many men from checking in until it’s too late. We get it. It’s not the most glamorous part of the body—but it’s vital.
Think of it this way: you’d never ignore a lump on your neck or blood in your stool. Why ignore the most common cancer in men (besides skin cancer) just because it’s not visible?
Our team at Wellstar makes prostate cancer screening simple, discreet and personalized. We’re here to talk through your family history, explain your risks and offer guidance without pressure. Whether it’s time for a PSA test, a digital exam or just a conversation, we meet you where you are.
Remember: ignoring prostate cancer doesn’t make it go away. It just makes it harder to treat. Learn more about prostate cancer care at Wellstar.
Ready to take action?
Find a urologist near you and book your appointment online. What’s out of sight shouldn’t be out of mind.