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.