Treatment FAQ

what is the most effective long term treatment for people who are morbidly obese

by Prof. Brandi Dooley IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Bariatric surgery, which involves sealing off most of the stomach to reduce the quantity of food you can consume, can be an effective means for morbidly obese people to lose weight and maintain that weight loss.

Procedures

In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. You'll need close medical treatment options for morbid obesity while taking a prescription weight-loss medication. Weight-loss surgery for obesity may be considered if you have tried other methods to lose weight that haven't worked and:.

Self-care

The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. You may need to work with a team of health professionals — including a dietitian, behavior counselor or an obesity specialist — to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.

Nutrition

These medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity. They are available in the United States only by prescription. Ask your health care professional about these medications. Sibutramine (Meridia) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA in 1996.

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Managing obesity includes a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and increased physical activity over time. Along with a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, your doctor may suggest prescription medications or surgery to help you lose weight. The first step in treating obesity is managing your expectations.

What are the treatment options for morbid obesity?

What is the goal of obesity treatment?

Are there any FDA approved medications for the treatment of obesity?

How can I Manage my obesity?

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What is the most successful treatment for obesity?

Reducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are vital to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight quickly at first, steady weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off permanently. There is no best weight-loss diet.

What is the best way to treat people with morbid obesity?

Treatment optionsrecommend an appropriate weight loss plan.work with the person to develop an exercise plan.recommend a physical therapy plan if the person has limited mobility.prescribe medication, such as orlistat (Alli), which reduces the amount of fat that the body absorbs.More items...•

What medication is approved for long term obesity treatment?

Four weight-loss drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for long-term use:Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)Liraglutide (Saxenda)Orlistat (Xenical)Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)

What is the most currently effective surgery for morbid obesity?

“Bariatric surgery is widely considered the most effective way to treat severe obesity and induce long-term weight loss,” said first author David Arterburn, MD, MPH, an internist and senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute.

What is the best weight loss treatment?

Phentermine-Topiramate extended release (Qsymia) is the most effective weight loss drug available to date. It combines an adrenergic agonist with a neurostabilizer. Daily doses with four strengths start at 3.75/23mg to 15mg/92mg. Adults with migraines and obesity are good candidates for this weight loss medication.

What are the two surgical options for morbid obesity?

Bariatric Surgery. Bariatric surgery procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band and duodenal switch. These operations have proven results in treating class III obesity. They also help normalize your metabolism, including blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

What is the new weight loss injection?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced the approval of pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide) injection for adults who either have obesity or are overweight and have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

What is Golo?

The GOLO Diet focuses on managing hormone levels through supplements, exercise, and a nutrient-dense diet to promote weight loss. It may help you manage your weight, lower blood sugar levels, and improve your health. Yet, for some, it may be pricey and challenging.

How does Topamax and phentermine work for weight loss?

Phentermine is in a class of medications called anorectics. It works by decreasing appetite. Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing appetite and by causing feelings of fullness to last longer after eating.

How effective is bariatric surgery for long-term weight loss?

Success from bariatric surgery Patients may lose 30 to 50 percent of their excess weight in the first six months, and 77 percent of excess weight as early as 12 months after surgery. Another study showed that patients could maintain a 50 to 60 percent loss of excess weight 10 to 14 years after surgery.

Is Robotic surgery better for obese patients?

Obese patients undergoing robotic surgery have shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, lower conversion rates and lower postoperative complications despite the increase in surgical complexity of their cases.

Which weight-loss surgery has the best long-term results?

Duodenal Switch Surgery The best long-term weight loss success rate (better than 50% excess weight loss) of 95%.

How to treat obesity and overweight?

Healthy eating plan and regular physical activity. Following a healthy eating plan with fewer calories is often the first step in trying to treat overweight and obesity. People who are overweight or have obesity should also start regular physical activity when they begin their healthy eating plan.

How does bariatric surgery help you lose weight?

Bariatric surgery includes several types of operations that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. Bariatric surgery may be an option if you have extreme obesity and haven’t been able to lose enough weight to improve your health or keep from gaining back the weight you lost with other treatments. Bariatric surgery also may be an option at lower levels of obesity if you have serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, related to obesity. Bariatric surgery can improve many of the medical conditions linked to obesity, especially type 2 diabetes.

What is alternate day fasting?

Alternate-day fasting is one type of intermittent fasting that consists of a “fast day” (eating no calories to one-fourth of caloric needs) alternating with a “fed day,” or a day of unrestricted eating. Researchers have conducted only a few studies of intermittent fasting as a strategy for weight loss.

How to keep track of your weight?

At work, avoid areas where treats may be available. Track your progress using online food or physical activity trackers, such as the Body Weight Planner, that can help you keep track of the foods you eat, your physical activity, and your weight.

How does a weight management program work?

In a weight-management program, trained weight-management specialists will design a broad plan just for you and help you carry out your plan. Plans include a lower-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and ways to help you change your habits and stick with them. You may work with the specialists on-site (that is, face-to-face) in individual or group sessions. The specialists may contact you regularly by telephone or internet to help support your plan. Devices such as smartphones, pedometers, and accelerometers may help you track how well you are sticking with your plan.

What are weight loss devices?

Weight-loss devices include. Electrical stimulation system. The electrical stimulation system uses a device a surgeon places in your abdomen with laparoscopic surgery.

Can weight loss pills help with obesity?

Weight-loss medicines. When healthy eating and physical activity habits are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat overweight and obesity. You should try to stick with your healthy eating plan and continue getting regular physical activity while taking weight-loss medicines. You may see ads for herbal remedies ...

How to treat obesity?

Increased physical activity or exercise is an essential part of obesity treatment. Most people who are able to maintain their weight loss for more than a year get regular exercise, even simply walking.

What is the goal of obesity treatment?

The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. This improves your overall health and lowers your risk of developing complications related to obesity. You may need to work with a team of health professionals — including a dietitian, behavioral counselor or an obesity specialist — to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.

What is the best way to talk to your doctor about weight?

Talking to your doctor openly and honestly about your weight concerns is one of the best things you can do for your health. In some cases, you may be referred to an obesity specialist — if one is available in your area. You may also be referred to a behavioral counselor, dietitian or nutrition specialist.

What are some ways to reduce weight?

Mind-body therapies — such as acupuncture, mindfulness meditation and yoga — may complement other obesity treatments. However, these therapies generally haven't been well studied in the treatment of weight loss. Talk to your doctor if you're interested in adding a mind-body therapy to your treatment.

How to get weight loss?

To achieve more-significant weight loss, you may need to exercise 300 minutes or more a week.

What is the BMI of a person who has had weight loss surgery?

Weight-loss surgery for obesity may be considered if you have tried other methods to lose weight that haven't worked and: You have extreme obesity ( BMI of 40 or higher) Your BMI is 35 to 39.9, and you also have a serious weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

How much weight can I lose with BMI?

That means that if you weigh 200 pounds (91 kg) and have obesity by BMI standards, you would need to lose only about 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg) for your health to begin to improve.

How to treat obesity?

Obesity is a complex disease. The ideal way to treat obesity is with a combination of diet, physical activity, and lifestyle changes. Your doctor may also recommend prescription medication or surgery.

How to make your stomach smaller?

Surgical options. Weight loss surgery, often called bariatric surgery, involves making your stomach smaller. During the surgery, a surgeon will cut across the top of your stomach and seal it off from the rest of your stomach to create a small pouch. This pouch can hold only about an ounce of food.

What is the BMI of a person with diabetes?

have a body mass index (BMI) over 35.0. have a BMI of 30.0 up to 35.0, have a serious weight-related health problem such as type 2 diabetes, and have been unable to sustain weight loss with nonsurgical treatments such as dietary changes.

Can diet plans be effective?

Diet plans, like the ones outlined below, can also be effective if they’re done right. But you might need to do some trial and error before you find one that works well for you. Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian for help. Here are some diet plans that have been shown to be effective.

Does counting calories help you lose weight?

Weight loss programs that involve calorie counting often result in more weight loss than those that don’t, according to a 2014 peer-reviewed study. Trusted Source. . The first step is to find out how many calories you need to eat each day to lose weight.

Is low carb diet good for weight loss?

One study showed that low-carb diets like the Atkins diet are more effective for weight loss than other types of diets.

What is the BMI of obesity?

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Body mass index is easily calculated from your weight and height (see body mass index calculator). What does BMI mean? Generally, a BMI of 18.5 to 25 is considered healthy.

What is the best way to control weight?

Surgery. Surgery for obesity, called bariatric surgery, alters the stomach or the intestines so that the person digests less food or is satisfied with less food. These operations have improved over the years and are now considered a safe and acceptable way to help obese people control their weight.

What are the health problems associated with obesity?

The health problems associated with obesity may contribute to poor quality of life, disability, and even premature death. Your body mass index is a good predictor of whether you will develop obesity-related health problems, such as the following: Heart disease. Diabetes. High blood pressure.

Why is obesity on the rise?

Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is typically an option rather than linked to our daily activities and jobs.

How do appetite suppressants work?

Appetite suppressants decrease appetite by increasing levels of serotonin or catecholamines, such as norepinephrine. Serotonin and catecholamines are brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite.

How long does it take for weight loss to go away?

People taking these drugs often find that their weight loss tapers off after four to six months. This is usually attributed to development of tolerance, in other words that the medication has reached its limit of effectiveness. The drugs are being studied to see if tolerance really does occur.

Is obesity a disease?

Obesity means accumulation of excess body fat. Obesity is considered a chronic (long-term) disease, similar to high blood pressure or diabetes. As such, it usually requires long-term treatment to successfully lose weight and keep it off. Obesity has many serious long-term consequences for your health, and it is the second leading cause ...

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Healthy Eating Plan and Regular Physical Activity

Changing Your Habits

Weight-Management Programs

Weight-Loss Medicines

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise or diet alterations are the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is very occasionally recommended and most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.
Procedures

Gastroplasty: Stomach is stapled to create a small pouch that allows only limited amounts of food.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: Placing an adjustable band around the stomach with minimally invasive surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy: Removal of approximately 80 percent of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: Removal of a portion of stomach and bypassing a large portion of the small intestine

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Choose minimally processed, whole foods
  • Whole grains (whole wheat, steel cut oats, brown rice, quinoa)
  • Vegetables (a colorful variety)
  • Whole fruits (not fruit juices)
  • Nuts, seeds, beans, and other healthy sources of protein (fish and poultry)
  • Plant oils (olive and other vegetable oils)

Foods to avoid:

  • Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks)
  • Fruit juice (no more than a small amount per day)
  • Refined grains (white bread, white rice, white pasta) and sweets
  • Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meats (salami, ham, bacon, sausage)
  • Other highly processed foods, such as fast Food

Specialist to consult

Bariatric physician
Specializes in medical weight management.
Endocrinologist
Specializes in the function and disorders of the endocrine system of the body.
Dieticians
Specialize in the nutritious diet and patient's food habits.

Weight-Loss Devices

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Following a healthy eating plan with fewer caloriesis often the first step in trying to treat overweight and obesity. People who are overweight or have obesity should also start regular physical activity when they begin their healthy eating plan. Being active may help you use calories. Regular physical activity may help you stay at a
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Bariatric Surgery

  • Changing your eating and physical activity habits and lifestyle is difficult, but with a plan, effort, regular support, and patience, you may be able to lose weight and improve your health. The following tips may help you think about ways to lose weight, engage in regular physical activity, and improve health over the long-term. 1. Be prepared for setbacks—they are normal. After a set…
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Special Diets

  • Some people benefit from a formal weight-management program. In a weight-management program, trained weight-management specialists will design a broad plan just for you and help you carry out your plan. Plans include a lower-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and ways to help you change your habits and stick with them. You may work with the specialists on-site (tha…
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Diagnosis

  • When healthy eating and physical activity habits are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat overweight and obesity. You should try to stick with your healthy eating plan and continue getting regular physical activity while taking weight-loss medicines. You may see ads for herbal remedies and dietary supplements NIH external linkthat claim to help you lose we…
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Treatment

  • Your doctor may consider weight-loss devices External linkif you haven’t been able to lose weight or keep from gaining back any weight you lost with other treatments. Because weight-loss devices have only recently been approved, researchers do not have long-term data on their safety and effectiveness. Weight-loss devices include 1. Electrical stimulation system. The electrical stimul…
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Clinical Trials

  • Bariatric surgery includes several types of operations that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. Bariatric surgery may be an option if you have extreme obesity and haven’t been able to lose enough weight to improve your health or keep from gaining back the weight you lost with other treatments. Bariatric surgery also may be an option at lower levels of …
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • Calorie-restricted diets
    Your doctor may recommend a lower-calorie diet such as 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day for women and 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day for men. The calorie level depends on your body weight and physical activity level. A lower calorie diet with a variety of healthy foods will give you the nutrien…
  • Intermittent fasting
    Intermittent fasting is another way of reducing food intake that is gaining attention as a strategy for weight loss and health benefits. Alternate-day fasting is one type of intermittent fasting that consists of a “fast day” (eating no calories to one-fourth of caloric needs) alternating with a “fed …
See more on niddk.nih.gov

Alternative Medicine

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment

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