According to a new study surveying 800 people discussed in this article, weight loss surgery has proven more efficient for losing weight and also for keeping off the weight over a period of time. On average, people who have surgery like gastric bypass have “an average 26 kilograms (57 pounds) more weight loss after two years than non-surgical treatment”. This is a huge difference compared to just regular diet and exercise! The researchers also found that surgery leads to a higher recovery rate for type two diabetes which is another benefit for the procedure.
In addition, the researchers discovered that around 2/3 of people on diets regain that weight within four to five years. The article does not specify what the regained weight is for weight loss surgery patients but suggests that it is better than those who do diet and exercise.
This article really puts an interesting spin on obesity and how to solve the problem here in America.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-22/weight-loss-surgery-fights-obesity-better-than-diet-or-exercise.html