In summary, targeted weight loss reverses many aspects of abnormal cardiovascular function, and clinical data demonstrate long-term survival benefit, in particular with bariatric surgical intervention. The treatment decision for a given obese individual must be tailored on the basis of patient preference and eligibility, comorbidity burden, and the risk-benefit ratio of potential medical and surgical options. Future research may unravel additional beneficial mechanisms of different weight loss strategies and potentially pave the way for safer and more effective dietary or medical options for obesity treatment. The goal of future research into antiobesity agents is to induce a “medical gastric bypass” with perhaps a combination of incretin hormones and appetite suppressants.
