In order to know what treatment (or combination of treatments) will work best, a healthcare provider should be called upon to determine one's degree of obesity and distribution of body fat. This can be done by measuring the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (measurement). Having a BMI:

• Between 25 and 30 is considered overweight
• Above 30 is considered to be obese

A waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88 cm) in women and 40 inches (102 cm) in men indicates that there is an excessive amount of fat in the abdominal area.

The healthcare provider also needs to consider your risk for heart disease before choosing a treatment. For instance:

• A person with a BMI of 20 to 25 has little or no increased risk for heart disease from obesity unless they have excessive fat in the abdominal area or have gained more than 22 pounds since age 18.
• A person with a BMI of 25 to 30 has a low risk
• A person with a BMI of 30 to 35 has a moderate risk
• A person with a BMI of 35 and above has a high risk

Regardless of one's BMI, health risks increase if one:

• Has excess abdominal fat
• Has high blood pressure
• Has a high level of cholesterol in the blood
• Has heart disease
• Has a strong family history of diabetes
• Is a male
• Was obese before age 40

People with the highest risk of heart disease should use the most aggressive weight loss program. Depending on individual risk factors, BMI, waist circumference, and personal preferences, a healthcare provider will suggest a combination of behavior modification, exercise, dieting, and, in some cases, medications. Surgery is reserved for people with severe obesity who have not shown any positive response to other weight loss treatments.

How to Undergo Treatments?

Though the answer to weight loss varies from each individual, all it takes is will power and the correct attitude, admitting to yourself that you do have the desire to shed those unwanted pounds.

Lack of self-will and thinking that weight loss is not worth the pain, is almost like giving up on the concept of changing for the better. Just because one has to sacrifice oneself to the task does not mean there is no means to this end.

Those who are ready to undergo weight loss treatment must meet with several healthcare providers before the actual treatment starts. This often includes a nutritionist and mental health specialist. Some patients need to work with these providers for several weeks or months before proceeding with any kind of treatment, including surgery.

The nutritionist ensures that the patient understands and can follow the strict dietary guidelines necessary with treatment and surgery. Some patients will be required to lose a small amount of weight before surgery. The mental health specialist helps the patient to identify factors involved in stress, coping, and lifestyle.

Other healthcare providers may also be involved in the pre-surgical evaluation, including a cardiologist, internal medicine specialist, or sleep medicine specialist. A cardiologist helps to ensure that the patient's heart is healthy enough for surgery. An internal medicine provider may be needed to assess the patient's overall health. A sleep medicine specialist can determine if the patient has a common obesity-related condition like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause difficulty breathing while sleeping and may pose a risk around the time of surgery. Weight loss treatment is all about discipline, self will, disciplined food intake and adequate exercise.