The National Institutes of Health has held three conferences on surgery for severe obesity in the past 15 years. At the most recent conference, a panel of experts concluded: ''Reduced life expectancy and significant psychosocial and economic problems are experienced by severely obese people.'' They went on to say, ''Limited success has been achieved with a variety of non-surgical approaches, including medically supervised dieting. Diet alone cannot be considered a reasonable option for permanent weight loss. Drug therapy for clinically severe obesity has been disappointing.''

The panel endorsed two surgical treatments for obesity. The gastric bypass, and gastric banding, noting that ''significant weight loss usually occurs and a number of associated disorders often improve.''

Shape Up America's Guidance for Treatment of Obesity states ''Obesity can seldom, if ever, be cured, and it should be managed much the same as any other chronic illness—through treatment that provides long-term support, education, monitoring, and reinforcement.'' It also states, ''The primary benefit of surgical therapy is durable weight loss and maintenance.''

Read about St.Vincent Bariatric Weight Loss Services' Surgical Options and Non-Surgical Options.