Obesity Treatment

Weight Matters: When Willpower Isn't Enough

When you're significantly overweight, nobody has to tell you that you'd probably be happier and healthier without the extra pounds. But what if the weight won't come off, no matter how hard you try?

Willpower alone might not be enough for people who are significantly overweight. If you've honestly tried to lose weight and failed, medications or surgery could be helpful under certain conditions.

Most medical weight-loss programs first try to help you make the long-term behavioral changes necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This includes exercising regularly and eating healthy food.

If you still remain seriously overweight, you and your health care provider might discuss these other options.

Could Weight-Loss Surgery Save Your Life?

The benefits of weight-loss surgery go beyond what the eye can see. If you are obese, surgery to lose weight may be safer than carrying around those extra pounds. If you're dealing with diabetes as well, weight-loss surgery can send the disease into long-term remission.

But is losing weight worth the risks associated with surgery? Take a look at the latest research.

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that 10 to 15 years after having weight-loss surgery, obese patients were less likely to develop--and more likely to recover from--diabetes and other heart disease risk factors. These patients also showed an almost 25 percent reduction in death, compared with obese patients who didn't have the procedure.