BMI 57.7

Very severely obese

Morbid obesity (BMI 57.7) is a serious health condition that can interfere with basic physical functions such as breathing or walking.

Those who are morbidly obese are at greater risk for illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gallstones, osteoarthritis, heart disease, urinary incontinence, skin infections and cancer.

Morbid obesity is a chronic condition. Obesity is determined by the following factors: genetics, behavior, internally set points of weight, and eating habits. Because of these factors, the morbidly obese person loses the ability to control their weight.

Medical problems commonly resulting from untreated morbid obesity include the following: Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart disease, Stroke, Certain cancers (breast and colon), Depression, Osteoarthritis

Affected people may gradually develop hypoxemia (decreased blood oxygen saturation) and have problems with sleep apnea (periodic cessation of breathing while asleep).

Decreased blood oxygen and problems associated with sleep apnea may result in feeling drowsy through the day (somnolence), high blood pressure, and pulmonary hypertension. In extreme cases, especially when medical treatment is not sought, this can lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale), and ultimately death.

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.