HARBOR SPRINGS -- For Maurine Watts of Harbor Springs it was a series of health concerns that created a daily battle.

"I had high blood pressure and it was at the point where I was taking medications daily.  I also had sleep apnea and had to use a C-pap machine," says Watts.

The reason behind all of this?  Watts was over weight and decided it was time for a change.

"I had tried many different methods of weight loss, including five different stints with weight watchers...I lost the weight but could not maintain the weight loss...The pivotal moment was when I injured my leg and had two blood clots and while that was being treated I was pretty incapacitated," says Watts.

Two years ago after much research and consideration watts decided to have bariatric surgery or weight-loss surgery hoping to live a longer and healthier life.

"I talked with my physician about it and she talked me at length because I initially thought I wanted to do less invasive but after talking to her and going over some of my medical issues she had me research gastric bypass...I decided this would be my best change for good health," says Watts.

Dr. Steven Slikkers is a Munson bariatric surgeon.  He says surgery is not the only treatment for losing weight but in extreme cases, it can sometimes be the best option.

"I think for so long the care and treatment for obesity was non-surgical with poor outcomes.  In today's word it's a pretty well known fact that obesity is a surgical disease... 75% of Americans are either overweight or obese.  So, only 25% of Americans live in a normal BMI range," says Dr. Slikkers.

In fact, Dr. Slikkers says these obesity facts are only increasing, which could be why more people are turning to surgery.

"The primary reasons for these surgeries is the healthcare concerns...we know that obesity shortens lifespan...it's the second cause of preventable death in America," says Dr. Slikkers.

For Watts the surgery created a whole lifestyle change.

"It's such an individual decision.  You really have to be ready to make the full lifestyle change and if you can this is a wonderful tool against obesity, but it's a tool not the solution for everything.  You have to commit to all different aspects to make it successful," says Watts.

"We're big believers in follow up care," says Dr. Slikkers.

"I was very sedentary prior to this and because of that I would get winded...I walk four miles a day...two miles on my lunch break and two miles in the evening," says Watts.

Watts is also off all of her blood pressure medications and no longer uses a C-Pap machine when she sleeps.

For information on the a Bariatric Seminar in Petoskey on Thursday, August 25th, click here.

Plus, more details about bariatric surgery click here.