I have only broken my wrist but my vote would be to have your plates and screws removed. I also agree that you might want to adjust your diet. The less weight you have the less chance you have especially when you get in to your 70’s. I recently lost about 25 pounds after my wife passed away. Other than having to spend money to buy all new clothes I feel as good as one could expect at 74.
I am a big believer in exercise and cutting back on sugar as you get older. The cutting back on sugar was really tough so I just don’t keep ice cream in the house and only eat dark chocolate with 70% cocoa. Unfortunately I don’t limit the dark chocolate to one serving but they actually say dark chocolate is good for you. I tried 90% dark chocolate and that was a little much.
At seventeen I say take the plates out and get active. Exercise is a great habit to start at that age and organized sports was great at your age. Some of my fondest memories were of playing high school football.
I believe if everyone would eat better and exercise more hospitals would be looking for patients instead of going to expand.
Hard to believe but the average dinner plate used to be six inches and now it is 12 inches. Americans eat too much and unfortunately most of it isn’t very healthy. I am sure people will disagree with me but Americans do continue getting bigger and obesity is on the rise. I also don’t believe obesity is a disease. That should spark some controversy but having to take a drug to lose weight for the rest of your life seems a little crazy. Especially if you stop taking it and all the weight comes right back on. It is not much different than going on a diet and after you stop the diet you end up weighing more than before the diet.
Good luck to you.

Good advice. Discuss the options with your GP. Weight is the enemy of your entire skeleton. If your tibia has completely healed the plate has served its purpose and is no longer required. Carrying less weight will help your entire being.