Read up on Obesity treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Obesity

Key points about treatments

If you're obese, you weigh much more than is healthy for you. This is because your diet contains more calories than your body uses up. The extra calories are stored as fat.

To lose weight you need to take in fewer calories each day than you use. You can do this by following a weight loss program that includes a diet and exercise. You might also have therapy to help you change the way you eat and exercise. Your weight loss program might also include medications.

Your weight has probably crept up over many years. It's best to lose weight the same way you gained it: slowly and steadily. You should aim to lose 1 or 2 pounds each week. Work with your doctor to set yourself short-term goals that you know you can achieve.

Source:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the North American Association for the Study of Obesity.
The practical guide: identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults.
October 2000. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf (accessed on 20 April 2009).

Some treatments for obesity might be covered by Medicare.

Source:
Mayor S.
New U.S. Medicare policy changes ruling that obesity is not an illness.
BMJ. 2004; 329: 252.

² Talk with your doctor to find out more.

Key points about treating obesity

You have the best chance of losing weight if you combine diet and exercise with therapy to help change the way you eat and exercise.
A low-calorie diet and regular exercise can help you lose about 5 percent to 10 percent of your weight in about six months. For example, if you weigh 220 pounds, you'll lose 11 to 22 pounds.
Losing 5 percent to 10 percent of your weight (and keeping it off) might not sound like a lot but it lowers your risk of health problems. It will also help you feel better.
Diet pills such as sibutramine or orlistat might help you lose weight. But they have side effects. And you will need to stay on a diet and keep exercising.
Once you've lost weight it can be difficult to keep it off. You still need to be in a weight loss program, with regular support from a health professional.
If you are very obese, you might be able to have weight loss surgery to help you lose weight. This type of surgery is called bariatric surgery. People who have surgery can lose about 60 pounds in the two years after their operation. And most people keep their weight off. But there are serious risks with these operations. There are several different types of weight loss operations.

Sources for the information on this page:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the North American Association for the Study of Obesity.The practical guide: identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults.October 2000. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf (accessed on 20 April 2009).

Mayor S.New U.S. Medicare policy changes ruling that obesity is not an illness.BMJ. 2004; 329: 252.

This information was last updated on Jul 13, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.