Medical Treatments for Weight Loss
Eating a diet of 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day combined with regular exercise is recommended before any weight loss treatments. If diet and exercise does help the obese individual lose weight, however, using weight loss treatment can return weight to a normal weight range. Obese individuals have an increased risk of developing obesity related diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, and must have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher to be eligible for the following weight loss treatments.
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Weight Loss Drugs
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Weight loss drugs are used before more intensive treatments, such as weight loss surgery, to help obese adults reach a normal weight range. It is also used to help them reduce their risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. FDA approved weight loss drugs include sibutramine and orlistat. Sibutramine, branded under the names Meridia and Reductil, reduces weight by suppressing appetite. Orlistat, commonly sold as Xenical, reduces the absorption of fat in the stomach and intestines, reducing the amount of calories consumed. Both drugs reduce weight by ten percent on average.
Gastric Banding
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Laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB) weight loss surgery is used to change the size of the stomach without cutting it. LAGB bands the upper part of the stomach with an adjustable band, separating the stomach and creating a small upper stomach pouch. A small opening is left open between the upper and lower portions of the stomach by adjusting the band. A person can only eat food that fits in the upper pouch, dramatically reducing their intake. According to Up To Date, lap banding reduces total body weight by 45 to 75 percent within two years.
Malabsorptive Surgery
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Biliopancreative diversion (BPD), a type of malabsorptive weight loss surgery, reduces weight by removing part of the stomach. The intact portion of the stomach is then connected to the lower part of the small intestine. This reduces weight because most of the food passes into the large intestine very quickly, reducing how many calories and nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. According to the University of North Carolina, malabsorptive surgeries are rarely performed--surgeons opt to use combined restriction and malabsorption surgeries instead because it is more effective.
Gastric Bypass
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Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), a type of combined restriction and malabsorption surgery, has a higher success rate than other surgeries. Approximately 62 to 68 percent of weight is shed within the first year. RYGB causes excess weight loss by dividing the stomach into two, creating a small upper stomach pouch and a bigger lower stomach pouch. The surgeon then connects the small intestine to the upper portion of the stomach. This makes the upper pouch the only way food can travel through the stomach. It is only able to accommodate one cup of food, significantly reducing how much food a person can eat. This results in quick weight loss.
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