How do you treat obesity?
Do you have obesity and want to lose weight? Options in the UK range from non-invasive weight loss treatments to surgery. Let's explore them in more detail.
A guide to slimming treatments in the UK
Why is it important to treat obesity?
Obesity is a disease caused by excess body fat. A person is considered to have obesity if their body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30. According to a government survey from 2021, around one-quarter of UK adults have obesity.
It's important to treat obesity because it can have serious effects on a person's health and quality of life. People with obesity are more at risk of developing diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and certain types of cancer, as well as bone and heart conditions. It can also impact mental health and is linked to depression.
If you have obesity, your doctor or another health professional may recommend a weight loss (slimming) treatment. Depending on the severity of your condition and what you've tried before, these treatments might involve lifestyle changes, surgery or a non-surgical weight loss medication.
How do you treat obesity?
Lifestyle changes are often the first step. These can include calorie-controlled diets, increased physical activity or weight loss coaching.
Diet and exercise
As a first step, your doctor may recommend adjusting your diet and getting more exercise.
The way this works is quite simple. If you eat a healthy, well-planned diet, you'll reduce the calories you take in. And if you become more physically active, you'll burn more calories. This helps with weight loss because it creates a calorie deficit: you burn more calories than you eat.
However, it's not always so simple in practice. It takes a lot of willpower to stick to a diet – and some people find it harder than others to stay physically active.
Weight-loss coaching
Getting help from a weight-loss coach can make it easier to get started with a calorie-controlled diet and exercise. It can also make positive lifestyle changes more likely to stick.
Your coach will talk to you about your health, diet, lifestyle and needs. They'll use what they learn to build a tailored weight loss plan, including a food and exercise diary.
Weight-loss coaching is available from some NHS primary care providers. It's also available from private healthcare clinics and weight-loss clubs.
Bariatric surgery
If you've tried lifestyle changes and they don't work for you, your doctor might suggest bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery is a type of surgical procedure (operation) that can help a person lose weight. These procedures are carried out by specialists called 'bariatric surgeons'.
Having surgery can be life-changing, but it's not a decision to take lightly. These are serious operations – most take several hours and are done under anaesthetic (while you're asleep). Serious problems are quite rare, but risks do exist. You should familiarise yourself with these risks before choosing this option.
Types of bariatric surgery
Gastric bypass
Your stomach is split into two parts with a surgical staple. This creates a small pouch inside the stomach, so you feel full with less food.
Gastric sleeve
Also known as a 'sleeve gastrectomy'. In this procedure, a large portion of your stomach is removed so there's less room for food.
Gastric band
A band is placed around your stomach and inflated to create a small pouch for food. This makes you feel full more quickly. Gastric band operations are no longer common in the UK.
Gastric balloon
This procedure is quicker and doesn't involve general anaesthetic (being put to sleep). You swallow a balloon that's then inflated with water. This leaves less room for food in your stomach.
Weight loss medications
Weight loss medications are drugs that help you lose weight more quickly or control your appetite. One is available over the counter (OTC) in the UK. Others require a prescription from a doctor before you can begin treatment.
Your doctor may recommend prescription weight loss medications if:
- You have obesity (a BMI of 30 or greater).
- You've struggled to lose weight with diet and exercise alone.
- You don't want bariatric surgery or are unsuitable for it.
In some cases, weight loss medications may provide a viable
alternative to bariatric surgery.
SemaPen offers two types of weight loss medications on prescription: Mounjaro and Wegovy. We look at these below, along with some of their alternatives.
Over-the-counter weight loss treatments
Alli
Alli is an over-the-counter weight loss pill with the active ingredient Orlistat. It's a type of lipase inhibitor. These drugs work by limiting how much fat your gut can absorb.
Other weight loss tablets
Alli is the only weight loss drug available over the counter in the UK. All other types of weight loss tablets are technically dietary supplements or herbal medications. There are many types of supplements. Some may be more effective than others.
Prescription weight loss medications
Wegovy
Wegovy is an injectable drug that you take once per week. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which works by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called 'GLP-1'. By mimicking this hormone, Wegovy helps users feel fuller for longer and control food cravings. Semaglutide is also available as a pill under the brand name Rybelsus. However, Rybelsus is only licensed to treat diabetes, not weight loss.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro, like Wegovy, is taken as a once-weekly injection. The two drugs work similarly but have different active ingredients – Mounjaro's active ingredient is tirzepatide. Mounjaro also mimics two natural hormones, while Wegovy mimics one. This is one reason Mounjaro tends to cause more weight loss than Wegovy.
Saxenda
While Saxenda is also taken as an injection, it differs from Wegovy and Mounjaro in several ways. It uses a different active ingredient called 'liraglutide' and is taken once a day rather than once per week. It also tends to be less effective. Saxenda patients can expect to lose around 9% of their body
weight after a full course of treatment¹, compared to Wegovy's 15%² and Mounjaro's 21%.³
How do I get a prescription for weight loss medication?
Are you living with obesity and think prescription weight loss medications might be right for you?
SemaPen is a private healthcare provider staffed by some of the UK's most trusted obesity specialists. We've created two expert-led programmes that use Wegovy and Mounjaro to help people lose weight.
To get started, you'll need to have a medical consultation. This is to make sure it's safe and appropriate for you to take the medication.
Our online consultation tells you instantly whether you're eligible for treatment. It's easy to fill out and is designed by doctors in the UK.
Where next?
Pricing
Our transparent pricing makes it easy to plan your budget. Get clear month-by-month costs here.
Side effects
Like all medications, Wegovy and Mounjaro can cause side effects. Get the key facts in our guide.
Are weight loss drugs safe?
Wegovy and Mounjaro's safety is confirmed by key clinical trials. Dive into the data here.
Contact Details
17 D-F Telford Court, Chestergates Business Park, Chester, United Kingdom, CH1 6LT.
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We only offer our programme in the UK and Northern Ireland. We are currently unable to deliver to the Republic of Ireland.
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