title: [Plastic surgical considerations of conservative weight loss in the treatment of morbid obesity].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the literature, conservative weight loss seems to be ineffective for morbidly obese subjects. Nevertheless, the significance of nonsurgical strategies for the treatment of morbid obesity is still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1999 to 2003, 197 reconstructive operations were performed on 120 morbidly obese patients. Initial body mass index (BMI) was higher than 35-40, and weight loss exceeded 40% of the original body weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gastric banding was performed in 66% of the patients; 34% reduced their body weight by conservative means. Conservative weight loss could be achieved at each level of BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conservative weight loss is a valuable option for the treatment of morbid obesity in a selected group of patients. Condiolates candidates for conservative weight loss should be selected carefully by a multidisciplinary team with psychiatric expertise.
authors.affiliation: Universitätskliniken für Plastische und Wiederherstellende Chirurgie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattesich
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piza-Katzer
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001317:Austria; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015431:Weight Loss