If you are 100 lbs. or more over your ideal weight or if your body mass index, or BMI, is above 39, you may be morbidly obese. This type of obesity may be caused by thyroid problems, not enough physical activity or a very high caloric intake. If you think you might be morbidly obese, contact your physician. Do not begin any weight loss program without talking to your doctor first.
Lifestyle Changes
The best way to lose weight is to make some lifestyle changes. Your doctor can recommend a sensible caloric intake for you, and can also suggest ways that you can incorporate exercise into your day. Neither reducing your calories nor exercising alone will allow you to lose weight effectively; you need to do both. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a drastic reduction in the number of calories you consume. Only do this under medical supervision because skipping meals or cutting back excessively can be unhealthy and dangerous.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
If you are morbidly obese, your doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery. This is not a quick fix; you will still need to stick to an exercise and diet plan for it to work to help you lose weight. Before your doctor considers you for weight loss surgery, you will need to meet with a surgical team and nutritionists to be sure you are an appropriate candidate. Risks include bleeding, infection, a reaction to the anesthesia used, vitamin deficiency, dehydration and kidney or gallstones.
Complications
Remaining morbidly obese puts you at risk for many serious and potentially deadly health problems. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and certain cancers. You may stop breathing in your sleep, which is a condition called sleep apnea. You may also suffer from decreased blood oxygen. You may be very tired during the day, may have trouble breathing or might have pain in your joints from the strain that excess weight puts on your body.
Recommendations
If you begin gaining weight rapidly, see your doctor promptly. He can run tests to see if you have a hormonal imbalance or detect another reason for the weight gain. He can also test your blood pressure and run other tests to see if you have developed any complications from your obesity. By carefully following the prescribed diet and exercise plan, you can overcome the obesity and enjoy the health and psychological benefits of attaining a healthy weight.
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