Individualizing Obesity Treatment

In the third video of the series, PA Ledyi Ballesteros explores how to individualize obesity treatment by evaluating comorbidities, contraindications, patient preferences, and financial considerations. Using a practical patient case, she illustrates how treatment goals, patient conditions, and access can shape medication selection and overall care planning.

PA Ballesteros also highlights the importance of building flexible treatment strategies, including backup options when coverage, tolerability, or response become barriers. Clinicians will gain practical insight into matching obesity therapies to each patient’s clinical profile while supporting realistic, patient-centered decision-making.

Key Takeaways:

Consider weight reduction needs as well as comorbidities and patient preferences when suggesting medications.
If one medication doesn’t work for any reason, there may be others that will.

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Speaker

Click on the photo below to learn more about the speaker.

Ledyenska Baez Ballesteros, MPAS, PA-C

References and Additional Resources:

Wegovy (Semaglutide). Package insert. Novo Nordisk; 2026. https://www.novo-pi.com/wegovy.pdf

Squire P, Naude J, Zentner A, Bittman J, Khan N. Factors associated with weight loss response to GLP-1 analogues for obesity treatment: a retrospective cohort analysis. BMJ Open. 2025;15(1):e089477. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11751938/

Supported by

Ledyenska Baez Ballesteros, MPAS, PA-C

Ledyenska (Ledyi) Ballesteros is a board-certified PA of 18 years with concentrations in internal medicine and obesity medicine. She received the Obesity Management in Primary Care Certificate in 2019, followed by the Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine in 2020.

Since 2011, PA Ballesteros has practiced internal medicine at Gonzaba Medical Group in San Antonio, Texas. In 2015, she created the clinic’s obesity medicine program, which she still runs. She is also active in educating her peers in the medical community on obesity and its management through local, state and national conference presentations, social media platforms, and online webinars.

PA Ballesteros has been faculty in various organizations including GatherEd, The Obesity Society, and AAPA.

PA Ballesteros currently serves as President of PAs in Obesity Medicine and secretary and co-founder of the newly developed San Antonio Obesity Society.