17 patients with severe (median percentage above ideal weight 100%) and resistant obesity underwent jaw wiring. There were no major complications and patients tolerated the procedure and subsequent minor inconveniences. All patients lost weight at a rate (median 25-3 kg in six months) comparable with that of intestinal bypass surgery and one achieved and maintained her ideal weight. Two-thirds of the patients, however, regained some weight after the wires were removed. Jaw wiring is a simple effective procedure which can be carried out in most hospitals, and has a place in an integrated approach to obesity.