With so many options for those who are extremely overweight available today, it is hard to know which option is best suited for a particular individual. There are many factors which determine the success or failure of each weight loss option - people have different lifestyles, so identifying that elusive weight loss technique that suits your lifestyle will take some work. This article will provide you with some direction in your search for a solution which will allow you to lose your desired weight with minimal fuss.

There are two main options available to you. Lifestyle changes such as dieting and increased physical activity (yes – exercise!), or bariatric surgery. Let us start with the least invasive technique – lifestyle changes.

Any diet that you follow should always recommend a healthy balance of diet and exercise. Many people think that just by easting less they will lose weight and therefore look great. But, while dieting can help you to lose weight, it is also important to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Put simply,the more you exercise, the more excess fat will be burned off. Exercise is – and will always be - the quickest way to burn off the most calories. With a correct and balanced diet, you will burn off more calories than you consume. This calorie deficit will inevitably lead to weight loss.

While more invasive than lifestyle changes, laparoscopic bariatric bypass surgery is performed using minimum invasion techniques: For example, only a few small incisions are made. (Compare this to the one large incision common in regular bariatric surgery - see bariatric-surgery-support.org for more on this.) A laparoscope is inserted in the abdomen which provides an enlarged inner view on a TV monitor to surgeon so that he can do his work properly. One major advantage of the laparoscopic approach is less pain following the surgery.

So this choice is yours – exercise with a balanced diet or opt for laparoscopic bariatric bypass surgery.