Many international organizations, mainly World Health Organization (WHO) has accepted obesity as a condition which is necessary to be treated for long years.  The most important reason for that is obesity is a condition with a high vital risk because of accompanying diseases and complications rather than being a problem of weight excess.  However, it should be remembered that although obesity has a vital risk, uncontrolled weight losses may cause fatal problems.   The main problem is severe rhythm disorders or palpitations appeared in the heart.  Cause for these arrhythmias is deficiency of different minerals and salts including potassium.  Hyperuricemia, ketosis which occurs in prolonged caloric deficiencies and psychiatric conditions which cause different eating disorders are common problems that we observe in uncontrolled severe weight losses.

Therefore, there are certain preliminary principles for a successful weight loss program;

1. To perform screening examinations before weight Loss program;
2. Creation of a Detailed and Personal Diet and Exercise Program;
3. Stage to preserve the weight loss

Which should be maintained for lifetime.  However, World Health organization (WHO) reports that ratio to preserve the weight loss for more than a year in diet and exercise programs solely stands below 15%.  Success of obesity surgery is shown by efficient and permanent weight loss at this point.

Success of weight loss programs is directly proportional with correct expression of expectations and settling on achievable targets.  Patients who have incompatible expectations with the current status or impossible expectations to achieve medically should not be taken into weight loss programs.  Following required preparation consultations and psychiatric assessment, patients whose reasonable and achievable expectations are ensured may be included into these programs.

If;

Spesific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Timely

 

“SMART” Targets are determined, successful and healthy weight loss becomes possible.

The most important force of weight loss programs is motivation of the patients.  Psychological, psychiatric and eating disorder evaluation of the patients before including them into the weight loss programs is beneficial to obtain a desired result.  These evaluations are not valid for patients whom obesity surgery is planned only, but also valid for patients whom medical or diet programs for weight loss will be applied.

It is possible to provide weight loss for each patient with body weight problem by applying one or more appropriate treatment methods.  However, all patients with morbid obesity can not achieve this result or remain unsuccessful to preserve the result obtained.  The most important cause here is inability to select the correct patient first and then the appropriate treatment method.

The most important factor for treatment of obesity is to determine the treatment according to the patients’ requirements and socioeconomic status.  Obesity nature and degree only are not sufficient to select the treatment.