Obesity: Which Weight-Loss Treatment Is Right for You?

• You take part for at least 6 months in a program that includes all of the following:
  • Regular sessions with someone trained to provide weight-loss counseling to help you set goals, manage challenges, and get feedback.
  • A low-calorie diet, including foods based on your needs and preferences.
  • Being active for 150 to 300 minutes each week.
  • Tracking your eating, activity, and weight.
• After you complete the program, it’s recommended that you go to counseling at least once a month for a year to help maintain your weight loss and new habits.

• You may take pills or give yourself a shot.
• There are many types of weight-loss medicines. They include medicines taken by:
  • Mouth.
    • Phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia)
    • Bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave)
    • Orlistat (Xenical)
  • Injection.
    • Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
    • Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)
    • Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)
• Most medicines work by helping you eat less. You will also need to:
  • Eat healthy foods and be more active.
  • Take the medicine long-term to keep the weight off.

• You have surgery to make your stomach smaller. Two common types of weight-loss surgery include gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.
• After either type of surgery:
  • You will stay in the hospital for 1 or more days.
  • You may return to your usual activities within 2 to 4 weeks.
  • You'll make lifelong changes in how you eat and drink.
• Some people may have more surgery to remove excess skin if they lose a lot of weight.

Other less common types of surgery include:

• Biliopancreatic diversion.
• Gastric banding.
• Single anastomosis duodenal switch.

• With 6 months of consistent participation, you may lose up to 8% of your body weight.
• It's common for people to regain the weight they lost.

• You may lose 5% to 21% or more of your body weight, depending on the medicine.
• If you have not lost at least 5% of your body weight in 6 months, you and your doctor may decide to try a different medicine.
• Many people regain some or most of the weight they lost if they stop taking the medicine.

• Within the first year, you may lose 25% to 30% of your body weight.
• After 5 years, you may have lost 20% to 25% of your body weight.
• Many people regain some weight. But very few people regain most of the weight they lost.

• If you have pre-diabetes, you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels may improve.
• If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, your levels may improve.
• Other weight-related health conditions may also improve.

• If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, your levels may improve.
• Other weight-related health conditions may also improve.
• Some weight-loss medicines are also used to manage type 2 diabetes. These medicines may reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
• If you have heart disease, these medicines may reduce the risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

• If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea, these conditions may improve.
• If you have type 2 diabetes, it will go away completely for many people. But for some people, it may come back.
• You may have a lower risk of a heart attack or stroke and a lower risk of cancer.
• You may live longer and have a better quality of life.

• These programs have little or no risk.
• Some people fall into a cycle of losing and gaining weight. There may be some health risks associated with that.

• Side effects of medicines vary. You may have:
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Constipation.
  • Headaches.
  • Blood pressure changes.

• Within 30 days of surgery, there is a small risk of serious problems such as a blood clot or infection. There is a very small risk of death.
• Within the first few years after surgery, some people need more surgery to treat problems related to the first surgery.

• Most intensive lifestyle programs have fees.
• The programs may not be covered by your insurance.

• Some weight-loss medicines cost a lot.
• Some medicines may not be covered by your insurance.

• The cost of surgery varies. Check your insurance coverage.
• Also think about the costs of:
  • Taking time off from work.
  • Getting help you may need during recovery.