BMI 55.9

Very severely obese

The more overweight a person is, the more likely that his or her lifespan will be shorter.

Morbid obesity is defined as a BMI greater than 40.

A BMI of 55.9 (Morbid obesity) is associated with a multitude of health problems, many of which increase the risk of death.

Health problems associated with morbid obesity:

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease
• High Cholesterol levels
• Diabetes
• Respiratory problems
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Venous stasis disease and ulcers
• Cancer
• Skin infections
• Infertility

The need to lose weight is not simply cosmetic, but lifesaving. The good news is that most obesity-related health problems improve, and some are even cured, after weight loss surgery.

Very severely obese treatment

The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight.

You may need to work with a team of health professionals (including a dietitian, behavior therapist or an obesity specialist) to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.

Reducing calories and eating healthier are vital to overcoming obesity.

Although you may lose weight quickly at first, slow and steady weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off permanently.

Avoid drastic and unrealistic diet changes, such as crash diets, because they're unlikely to help you keep excess weight off for the long term.

Increased physical activity or exercise also is an essential part of obesity treatment.

Most people who are able to maintain their weight loss for more than a year get regular exercise, even simply walking.

Weight-loss medication

Losing weight requires a healthy diet and regular exercise. But in certain situations, prescription weight-loss medication may help.

Keep in mind, though, that weight-loss medication is meant to be used along with diet, exercise and behavior changes, not instead of them. If you don't make these other changes in your life, medication is unlikely to work.

You need close medical monitoring while taking a prescription weight-loss medication. Also, keep in mind that a weight-loss medication may not work for everyone, and the effects may wane over time. When you stop taking a weight-loss medication, you may regain much or all of the weight you lost.

Weight-lost surgery

In patients with morbid obesity associated with comorbidities, surgery is the only available therapeutic modality associated with clinically significant and relatively sustained weight loss.

Weight loss surgery is major surgery. But for many patients, the risk of death from not having the weight loss surgery is greater than the risks from the possible complications of having the procedure.

Although obesity in itself is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, massive, poorly monitored weight loss can have equally consequences.

Among the important potential complications to watch out for in the setting of weight loss are the following:

• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Hypokalemia (Electrolyte derangements).
• Hyperuricemia.
• Psychological sequelae (depression and eating disorders).
• Cholelithiasis.

Take your weight loss and weight maintenance one day at a time and surround yourself with supportive resources to help ensure your success.

Find a healthier way of living that you can stick with for the long term.