What are some of the main medical treatments for obesity?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    The main medical treatments for obesity include lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, and weight loss medications may also be used. If these methods are ineffective or if a person has severe obesity with additional health conditions, bariatric surgery may be an option.

    The primary treatment for obesity in patients without other health conditions is lifestyle modifications (i.e., changes to diet and exercise); sometimes, weight loss medications are also used. If lifestyle modifications do not work after trying for a long time, or if the person has class II or III obesity with additional chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes, then bariatric surgery may be considered.[1]