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Do I have obesity permagna?

Mannheim University Hospital provides a body mass index calculator that is intended to give people who carry excess weight an initial indication of the need for action. If you have a BMI of 40 or higher, it makes sense to seek medical assistance. If someone has a BMI of 40 kg/m² or higher, they fall under the obesity permagna (class 3 obesity) category. This is a serious condition that substantially increases the risk of secondary diseases. The obesity specialists at Mannheim University Hospital provide a special obesity consultation hour for further clarification and discussion of potential treatment. The initial appointment is followed by intensive support according to the multimodal concept.

Obesity Consultation Hour

Outpatient appointment

Phone +49 (0)621/383-2209

(Video consultation possible)

Health risks relating to obesity permagna

Osteoarthritis is an accompanying symptom found in almost all patients with class 3 obesity. This often results in chronic pain that can only be relieved with long-term pain medication. Elevated cholesterol levels and the development of type 2 diabetes can also be caused by obesity. Shortness of breath, poor sleep, snoring or sleep apnoea with intermittent respiratory arrest are other frequent side effects. Obesity is also associated with heart conditions that sometimes have life-threatening consequences, not to mention non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Often, decreased resilience is compounded by social exclusion and mental illness.

Treatment for class 3 obesity

Most patients already have a long history of attempted treatment. Unsuccessful attempts at dieting and exercising, or ineffective medication, may have discouraged people with class 3 obesity. The primary goal of obesity treatment is permanent weight loss. This brings about a decisive reduction in the risk of developing secondary diseases related to obesity, including high blood pressure, heart conditions and diabetes. Improving the patient’s mobility and quality of life is naturally an important goal too. Nutritional, exercise and behavioural therapy are the main elements of a multimodal concept (i.e. one that combines different therapeutic approaches). If a combination of these measures does not bring about a substantial reduction in the patient’s weight over a period of at least six months, the disciplines involved in the multimodal concept will hold a joint meeting to discuss whether surgical therapy would be an option (different regulations for participation in the ‘multimodal concept’ apply to international patients).