Understanding Morbid Obesity Treatment Options:

Morbid obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40, or a BMI of at least 35 with other related medical conditions. Related medical conditions include, but are not limited to: arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, liver and/or gallbladder disease, Gastro Reflux disease, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. (Your insurance company may define morbid obesity differently. Please read your policy for more details.)

Clinical Programs

Medically Managed Weight-Loss
Medically managed weight-loss programs provide treatment in a clinical setting with a licensed healthcare professional, such as a medical doctor, nurse, registered dietitian and/or psychologists. These programs typically offer services such as nutrition education, physical activity and behavioral therapy.

Gastrointestinal Surgery
Gastrointestinal surgery is also known as bariatric surgery and weight-loss surgery. The following are the different types of bariatric surgery:

• Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

• Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

• Biliopancreatic Diversion

• Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

• Gastric Bypass Roux-EN-Y

If your body mass index (BMI) is more than 40, or your BMI is more than 35 and you have a weight-related co-morbidity, such as diabetes or hypertension, you may consider weight-loss surgery. To calculate your BMI, please visit www.obesityaction.org.

It is important to speak with your physician to determine if weight-loss surgery is right for you.

Non-Clinical Programs
Non-clinical programs may be commercially operated, such as a privately owned weight-loss chain (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.). Counselors, books, Web sites or support groups are all ways you can be involved in a non-clinical weight-loss program. Non-clinical weight-loss programs may require you to use the program's foods or supplements.

Safe and effective programs will offer educational materials that have been reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional. These materials should include information on healthy eating plans, exercise and behavior therapy.

If a program requires you to buy prepackaged meals, find out how much the meals will cost – they may be expensive. Also, keep in mind that eating prepackaged meals may not allow you to learn the cooking and food choice skills needed to maintain the weight-loss over a period of time.

Please note that non-clinical programs are almost never a covered benefit, but often times insurers and employers have negotiated discounts with these programs.

Talk to your physician before using any weight-loss product, such as a supplement, herb or over-the-counter medication.

Visit www.obesityaction.org/aboutobesity/treatment.php for more information on the various treatment options available.

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