TREATMENTS OF OBESITY
Obesity is caused by various factors and affects numerous organs in human body. Therefore, the treatment should be planned through a multidisciplinary approach, in which more than one medical department work in harmony. Patients who present for obesity treatment are primarily assessed by endocrinologist, dietician, psychiatrist, physiatrist and exercise consultant. The patient is also assessed by cardiologists and pulmonologists, if deemed necessary. Moreover, selected patients are also referred to our General Surgeons who are experienced in obesity surgery.
All patients are assessed in detail for underlying factors of obesity, eating habits, psychological problems and health status. An appropriate treatment program is planned for the patient in light of these assessments. This treatment program may include medical and surgical treatment options as well as medical nutrition and exercise, depending on the patient’s needs.
Diagnosis and Treatment Services for Obesity
A multidisciplinary approach is adopted in diagnosis and treatment of obesity; our principal aim to make patients lose weight smoothly without facing a problem and most importantly, maintain optimal body weight over years.
Diet Therapy
We aim to make patients who present for treatment of obesity lose weight under supervision of nutrition and diet experts. Here, a calorie-specific diet is planned for each patient according to eating pattern and health status. Patients are followed up by nutrition experts throughout the program.
Exercise Therapy
Patients who are obesity treatment generally face health problems while exercising due to overweight; for example, problems in knee joint due to excessive loads. These problems cause the patient abandon exercising and result in further weight gain. Physicians and physiotherapists of Acıbadem plan a program that covers exercises, which fit health status of the person, such as swimming and water gymnastics, to have these patients start exercising again. Doing exercise for 45 minutes a day for three days of week can even be effective in weight loss.
Behavioral Change Therapy
Diets and exercise programs are effective methods to have patients lose weight. However, patients may regain the lost weight, since these programs are deemed a cure of certain period of time and patients return to their former sedentary life at the end of this period. Patients are recommended to make changes in their life styles such as using public transportation instead of driving all the time and to make plans that focus on sports activities, such as nature hikes on weekends instead of dining out.
Medication Treatment
Doctors may prescribe medication treatment to eliminate metabolic problems (reactive hypoglycemia, insulin resistance etc.), if any, that may lead to weight gain in patients. However, medical treatment does not directly mean treatment of obesity with medications. There is no FDA-approved safe and effective drug that can be prescribed for treatment of obesity.
