Is weight loss without surgery possible if you are morbidly obese?

September 29. 2021

Obesity comes in many different forms, but it always carries an increased risk for several weight-related diseases. People often try to lose weight by following a popular diet or hitting the gym for intense workouts depending on the number of excess pounds. However, one group of extremely overweight people, referred to as morbidly obese, often find it hard to succeed with their weight loss due to lack of motivation, decreased mobility, and an unhealthy relationship with food they’ve developed so far. Such individuals should not be advised to follow highly restrictive diets or do exhausting workouts, as these solutions will most likely do more harm than good. Surgeries such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are often a go-to solution for morbidly obese people, but it’s vital to understand they’re not the only choice. 

How is morbid obesity defined?

When determining if a patient is morbidly obese, doctors typically use the Body Mass Index, as it shows weight in relation to height. Individuals with a BMI of 40 or higher are considered morbidly obese. Additionally, those who have 100 excess pounds or more also fall under this obesity group. This type of extreme obesity carries a severely high risk of weight-related diseases, including diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, etc. That’s why it’s vital to keep your weight under control and react on time to prevent compromising your health.

How to achieve weight loss without surgery if you are morbidly obese

As mentioned earlier, popular fad diets and exhausting workouts present a threat for morbidly obese people rather than a solution. If a patient has had a sedentary lifestyle and was in a calorie surplus for years, cutting down on less than 1000kcal a day can cause serious health consequences. That’s why it’s imperative to consult a professional weight-loss expert and get a customized weight loss program and supervision throughout your weight loss journey. Taking small but healthy steps towards your goal will make the process much easier and successful in the long run. Here are the cornerstones of weight loss for morbidly obese people without surgery:

• Maintain a calorie deficit. A calorie surplus is most likely the cause of your weight gain. Consuming more calories than you can burn throughout the day will cause your body to store them in the form of fat. To start losing weight, you’ll need to maintain a calorie deficit. However, please keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you should starve yourself – instead, you should include more healthy but satiating ingredients in your diet, such as healthy fats, lean protein, and fiber-packed foods. Excluding refined sugar and empty carbs will help you keep your insulin levels low and prevent those hunger spikes throughout the day. 

• Develop a nutritionally balanced diet. One of the most significant changes you’ll have to make is the types of food you eat. You’ve probably indulged in food high in refined sugar, saturated fats, and processed carbs – although they often taste good, they seriously harm your overall health. To avoid going under the knife to shed those pounds, you’ll have to switch to good fats, lean protein, and whole foods. Each of the macronutrients has a purpose in your body and all the metabolic processes, so it’s vital to know how to balance them out. A breakfast consisting of proteins and some healthy fats will prevent you from snacking throughout the day and keep you full until lunchtime. Your lunch and dinner should contain some lean protein and veggies packed with fiber to keep your digestive tract running smoothly. Fresh fruit and nuts will ensure you get all the essential vitamins and minerals as long as you moderate the portions.

• Start with moderate physical activity. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that high-intensity physical activity is not for everyone – and it’s certainly not the only way to go. Morbidly obese people should start with lighter forms of exercising, such as walking and stretching. Swimming is an excellent starting point because it doesn’t put pressure on your joints but still positively affects the whole body.

• Nurture your psychological health. Your state of mind and emotions regarding food have an immense impact on your weight. Emotional overeating is one of the main factors contributing to morbid obesity, so it’s vital you put your efforts into healing your relationship with food. Instead of seeking happiness in a giant burger, boost your happy hormones by taking a walk, having a spa day, or doing any other activity that brings you joy. 

• Consider taking supplements to kickstart your weight loss. Witnessing the kickstart of your weight loss is an excellent source of motivation. However, some people either struggle with it or have difficulties breaking the weight loss plateau. If that’s the case, you may consider adding supplements such as lipo C injections. Additionally, you can consult your physician about taking appetite suppressants if you can’t beat the hunger spikes due to a decreased calorie intake. 

• Ask for help whenever you need it. Weight loss without surgery often seems like a daunting task for morbidly obese individuals. That’s why it’s vital to seek support whenever you feel like giving up and going back to your previous unhealthy habits. 

How much weight can you expect to lose?

Still water runs deep is genuinely applicable to the concept of a healthy weight loss; those who commit themselves to change their lifestyle habits and stay persistent throughout the process are those who succeed. Rapid weight loss can be achieved in numerous ways, but almost all of them are unhealthy and unsustainable. It’s understandable that our patients first ask how much weight they can lose by following the guidelines mentioned above for a healthy weight loss, and the truth is – you can lose as much as you want as long as you stay dedicated to your goals. On the other hand, your weight loss rate depends on several things, including your age, gender, starting weight, health condition, etc. It’s typical for weight loss to start slowing down as you come closer to your final weight goal. Still, you’ll most likely start experiencing the benefits of shedding those excess pounds off quickly after implementing the listed lifestyle changes. The positive effects on your overall well-being will keep you going and help you stay motivated until you reach your goal. We strongly disagree with giving our patients unrealistic expectations and ensure they get support at every step of the way.

Final thoughts

Although surgery sometimes feels like the only solution for a successful weight loss for morbidly obese people, it’s essential to remember that you can succeed without it. You can put an end to the years of unhealthy decisions that most likely led you to your current weight and switch to some serious self-discipline that will lead you to your goal. The process may not always be easy or pleasant, but having the proper support by your side can make it significantly smoother. Our weight loss clinic has helped numerous patients achieve their weight goals by offering a personalized approach to each one of them instead of suggesting a one-size-fits-all solution. Besides helping you keep your weight under control, we provide supervision and support for all of our patients who struggle throughout the process and ensure they stay on the right path. If you’re ready to make the change and lose unwanted weight without surgery, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to schedule your consultation.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.