There are 3 types of treatments for obesity:
MEDICAL TREATMENT includes dietary and nutritional controlled support and commercial standardized diets with very low calorie (VLCD), with or without pharmacological treatment (drugs that increase metabolic basal rate, anorectic, or decrease fat absorption), motivation to regular exercise, psychological support when necessary, collaboration with the attending physician and endocrinologist in the management of associated diseases, etc.
Diets should be supervised by a dietician and nutrition specialist. Diets should be based on natural foods available in our supermarkets and supplemented with an increase in physical activity adapted to the patient’s condition.
The less physiological diets like DUKAN, or DISSOCIATIVE, MACROBIOTIC, and MAGIC DIETS, etc., are undesirable because they may cause nutritional deficits in the long term and cause weight regain after completion (yo-yo effect) as they are not enduring along the time.
Unfortunately, DIETS are the more failed prescribed treatment, usually due to the inconstancy and neglect of the patient.
For more information see the section HEALTHY DIET.
SURGICAL TREATMENT of obesity is based on SHORT STAY laparoscopic MINIMALLY INVASIVE procedures that reduce the usable size of the stomach by limiting the volume of intake and/or associate a controlled malabsorption of food (especially fats).
Placing rings (Lap-Band) or intragastric balloons, or the “new endoscopic techniques” as the POSE (inconsistent stitches sutured in the stomach to reduce capacity) or the ASPIRE (placement of an unpleasant and uncomfortable percutaneous tube that connects the stomach to a bag to empty it after eating), have demonstrated low effectiveness in the medium and long term, have not passed the “test of time”, are not risk free, have high costs, and cause weight regain after removal of the device.
For more information see the section OBESITY SURGERY.
