Morbid obesity treatment options include changes in diet, exercise, behavior therapy, and bariatric surgery. Various medications can also be used to help suppress a person’s appetite and reduce the amount of fat that person absorbs. Each of these morbid obesity treatment options can be used separately, but can also be used simultaneously to help produce prolonged and sustained weight loss. Since morbid obesity is a serious medical threat that can reduce a person’s lifespan, it is highly recommended for a person in this condition to consult a medical professional about using one or more of these treatment options.
The most drastic morbid obesity treatment option is bariatric surgery, which is a procedure in which the stomach or intestines are manipulated so that the patient cannot absorb as many calories as he normally would. It is often used in conjunction with healthy eating and taking supplements because the surgery can also reduce the amount of nutrients a patient can intake. A patient thinking of bariactric surgery should research this procedure to understand the risks involved, as well as the lifetime commitment to follow up consultations with professionals such as a behavioralist and a nutritionist. These regular follow up visits help to ensure the patient is adhering to proper nutritional and behavioral changes. Many professionals only use bariatric surgery after all the other morbid obesity treatment options have been explored.
For patients who are able, increasing physical activity is one option that is often tried before surgery. Because exercise causes strain on the heart and other organs, a person should work with a medical professional to design an exercise regime designed for their fitness level. There are plenty of options for exercise, from simply going for a walk to participating in organized sports. The main object is to get a person moving in order to burn calories and build muscle.
Putting a patient on a proper diet is another morbid obesity treatment option that is often tried before a person undergoes bariatric surgery. In order for a morbidly obese person to lose weight, professionals may suggest he undergo different types of diets, depending on the situation. Often, dieting should coincide with behavioral and lifestyle changes. For instance, instead of buying fried chicken at a fast food restaurant, a person may need to learn how to bypass the fast food and opt for baking chicken in the oven at home. Proper behavioral and lifestyle changes are essential for a person to maintain if he is going to lose weight for the long term.
Doctors may also prescribe various medicines to help a person lose weight. This morbid obesity treatment option is known as drug therapy. Some drugs help prevent fat from being absorbed, while other drugs help suppress a person’s appetite. Drug therapy can be combined with dietary therapy in order to help a person lose weight more effectively. A person may also need to undergo behavior therapy to make sure he is not binge eating or acting in a manner that counteracts the weight loss effect.