Erin Knopf, MD

Presentation Title (Keynote):

“Bridging Paradigms: The Role of Eating Disorder Professionals in Post-Bariatric & GLP-1 Care”

Presentation Overview:

As bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medication use continue to rise, more patients are entering intentional weight-loss pathways that intersect with eating disorder risk, malnutrition, and psychological vulnerability. Standard follow-up models often emphasize weight outcomes while under-recognizing complications such as nutrient deficiencies, disordered eating behaviors, mood changes, and reduced quality of life. This presentation explores how eating disorder professionals are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap through weight-neutral, trauma-informed, multidisciplinary care. Attendees will review emerging risks associated with bariatric surgery and GLP-1 treatment, examine practical monitoring frameworks, and learn strategies to support patient autonomy while protecting medical and mental health. The session calls for a paradigm shift from weight-centered metrics toward holistic outcomes including nourishment, functioning, resilience, and dignity.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify common medical, nutritional, and psychiatric complications that may arise following bariatric surgery or GLP-1 treatment, including malnutrition, disordered eating, and mood-related concerns.
2. Describe how eating disorder clinicians can apply weight-neutral, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction principles to support patients pursuing intentional weight-loss interventions.
3. Implement practical interdisciplinary tools for post-bariatric and GLP-1 aftercare, including lab surveillance, referral triggers, collaborative treatment planning, and patient-centered communication strategies.

Speaker Biography:

Erin Knopf is a board-certified pediatrician, adult psychiatrist and child/adolescent psychiatrist as well as an iaedp Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. Dr. Knopf completed residency training at The University of Kentucky in a combined residency program, the Triple Board program. She previously worked at The Eating Recovery Center and ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders. She is co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of VERY, an outpatient treatment company dedicated to individualized care and grounded in weight-inclusive, trauma-informed and gender-affirming principles.