In those that are overweight (mostly obese) and are considering bariatric surgery to aid in that weight loss, I urge you to consider radical nutrition and exercise options before having your body cut into for rapid weight loss by the knife.

Of course, consult with your doctor for proper guidance, but weight loss surgery should be the last resort unless there exists no safe alternative. What I can say is this: your body is remarkable adept at adapting given a chance. Nutritional changes and exercise are too good adaptations, right?

New research shows that death rates for those that undergo weight loss surgery are higher than among people of the same age who don't have the need to undergo weight loss surgery. Convinced of an alternative way to lose that weight yet?

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The Wall Street Journal reported today [subscription required] on a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine, which shows an increased risk of earlier death among people who are overweight at age 50.

I wrote recently about my desire to remain in the overweight category, even once I reach my own weight goal of 150 pounds. Ater reading what WSJ has to say about this study, I'm still sticking with my plan.

The new study - by scientists at the National Cancer Institute - was conducted among older people who were asked to recall what their weight was at age 50, a method designed to correct for the "dynamic" nature of peoples' weights as they age. Also a method my grandma (who lived to be 93 and smoked every day of her life) would have called "tricky." Though so far everyone seems to agree that "obese" people are at greater risk of earlier death, they are now officially split on those of us who are just a bit fat and pretty fit.

In my opinion, all these studies about weight and earlier death beg the question earlier than what? We're all going to die and we're not sure when. This new study has not convinced me that losing an extra 10 pounds will change my chances.

[Image based on a photo by northern california.]

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