Working with a Healthcare Provider Who Specializes in Obesity

Obesity is a complex problem. A general healthcare provider can offer help with weight loss. But a bariatric healthcare provider has more training in how to treat obesity.

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Obesity is a complex problem. A general healthcare provider can help you with weight loss. But a bariatric healthcare provider (bariatrician) has specialized training in how to treat obesity. Those that do weight-loss surgery are called bariatric surgeons. 

What is obesity?

Obesity is when body fat is above a certain level. Body mass index (BMI) is a way to measure body fat based on height and weight

  • A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight

  • A BMI of 30 or more is obese

  • A BMI of more than 40 is considered severe obesity

Your healthcare provider can calculate your BMI for you. You can also use the online BMI calculator at the

National Institutes of Health website at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm.

Why see a bariatric healthcare provider?

If you have obesity, it’s important to get treatment. Obesity can lead to serious health problems, such as:

  • High blood sugar (type 2 diabetes)

  • Arthritis

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Heart disease

  • Stroke

  • Sleep apnea

  • Liver disease

  • Certain lung diseases

  • Certain cancers

You may start your treatment with your primary healthcare provider. But if you need more help, you may want to see a bariatric healthcare provider. They may have new ideas or weight loss methods that can help you.

What to expect at your first visit

Healthcare provider taking woman's blood pressure.

At your first visit, your bariatric healthcare provider may:

  • Ask about your health history. This includes your history of eating habits, exercise, and weight loss.

  • Give you a physical exam. This includes BMI, waist-to-hip ratio measurement, blood pressure

You may need some tests. These are to check for health factors linked to obesity. They also look for health problems that can cause weight gain. Tests may check your:

  • Blood sugar levels to look for diabetes

  • Lipid and cholesterol levels

  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels

  • Liver function

  • Kidney function

  • Vitamin D levels

  • Heart rhythm (electrocardiogram)

  • Heart function during exercise

  • Resting metabolic rate, to see how many calories you burn at rest

Creating a treatment plan

Your bariatric healthcare provider will create a plan for you. The plan is based on your health needs and preferences. Your healthcare provider will:

  • Find out how ready you are to begin an exercise program

  • Help you make realistic weight-loss goals

  • Give you a nutrition plan

  • Tell you to keep a food diary

  • Talk with you about a weight-loss medicine, if needed

They'll give you information about:

  • Healthy eating habits

  • Healthy exercise habits

  • How to change health behaviors

  • How mental health affects obesity

  • The complications of obesity

  • The benefits and risks of medicines

At each follow-up visit, your bariatric healthcare provider will check your progress. They'll also make changes to your plan as needed. As you lose weight and your health improves, your provider might change some of your medicines. If you stop losing weight or you regain weight, they may talk with you about weight-loss surgery.

Finding a bariatric healthcare provider

Talk first with your primary healthcare provider. They may be able to refer you to a bariatric healthcare provider. You can also go to the Obesity Medicine Association website at www.obesitymedicine.org . It has an online listing of providers. You can search for ones in your area.