How to Treat Obesity

Obesity is a growing health problem all across America with new guidelines for managing this problem as well as other weight problems are being published all the time. One such management effort published by the American College of Physicians recommends medications and surgery for individuals that are obese, and diet and exercise for those all others whether overweight or at perfect weight. Medications and surgery should be recommended to individuals that are obese only after all other methods of weight loss have not produced the affects needed.

Guidelines

Another guideline was published on April 4, 2005 in the Annals of Internal Medicine titled, “Pharmacologic and Surgical Management of Obesity in Primary Care: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians”.

The guideline published by the American College of Physicians stated that individuals with a body mass index more than 30 might consider medication if all other diet and exercise has failed. Surgery was only for individuals that have exhausted all other methods of weight loss, have a BMI (body mass index) over 40, and have health problems such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

The new guidelines by the American College of Physicians only apply to patients that have a body mass index of thirty or more. Individuals that have a body mass index between 25 to 29.9 are in the overweight range, whereas those with a body mass index of 30 to 39.9 are in the obese range, and those with a body mass index of more than 40 are considered morbidly obese.

Drugs

Treatment for Obesity can include weight loss drugs and bariatric surgery. In most cases, only six drugs are used to treat obesity, which include diethylproprion, fluxotine, orlistat, phentermine, and sibutramine. The American College of Physicians recommends talking with your physician before taking any medications. You should learn the potential side effects, lack of long-term effectiveness, and all safety information. The use of drugs for the treatment of obesity has only seen a small percentage of weight loss during the first year of treatment and there is no data as to whether the person regains the weight after stopping the medication.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery may be one of the best options, however, as with all surgeries there are risks involved. A few of the side effects range from complications during surgery to gall bladder disease to digestion problems. The three most popular types of bariatric surgery include Lap Band, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Lap Band

Lap Band is a long-term treatment for obesity in which an adjustable silicone elastic band is put around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a pouch and aids in the restriction of the food passing. This pouch gives the patient a feeling of fullness, limits the amount of food the stomach can hold as well as slowing down the passing of food.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty is a long term treatment for obesity in which the upper part of the stomach is stapled and divided. This forms a small pouch that is similar to the Lap Band procedure except the staple cannot be adjusted at a later date as the elastic band.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is more than likely the most common surgery for obesity. During this procedure, the upper stomach is stapled like in the above surgery only that with this procedure a portion of the small intestines is attached to the pouch. The major problem with this surgery is the restriction of the absorption of essential nutrients mainly calcium, vitamin B12, and iron.

Before choosing a treatment for obesity, you should discuss all the possibilities with your physician. He/she will be able to give you the information you need to make an educated decision on the treatment that will be best for you.