BALTIMORE -- The members of one local family each weigh close to 300 pounds or more. For years they've struggled to lose weight, but nothing's worked.

They said their overweight problems run in the family and now they're banding together to eliminate the pounds -- without surgery and without counting calories. They're turning to a local doctor who claims his weight loss plan turns off the brain's hunger switch.

WBAL-TV 11 NEWS Health Alert reporter Donna Hamilton reported about losing weight by changing the body's chemistry through medications.

The Rivas weight loss program treats weight problem like high blood pressure, or high cholesterol -- with pills. And one family has a plan to battle the bulge using the program.

The Clemens family could be a case study for genetic weight gain. Parents Randy and Rosemarie are both considered obese, and so are their sons. Randy's brother, John, is also considered obese.

Randy Clemens was the first to see Dr. Paul Rivas, an internist whose specialty is weight loss. And when the rest of the family saw Randy Clemens' success, they followed him.

"It runs in families and you guys just happen to be a prime example of that," Rivas said.

Rivas said obesity is genetic and that the only way for most people to lose the weight -- and keep it off -- is with medication, not the typical recommendation of exercise and restricting food.

WEIGHT LOSS WEEK Mon., May 13 Gastric Bypass Surgery Tue., May 13 Family Weight Loss Wed., May 14 Hospital Help Thu., May 15 Volumetrics Fri, May 16 Diet Allows Carbs In The Meal

"We are the exact opposite of that. By using medications, you no longer want [food], you're not interested in anymore," Rivas said.

In fact, when the Clemens family visited him, Rivas told them to change nothing about the way they eat.

"They've been battered enough their whole lives about willpower [as a] character flaw. I want that all erased," Rivas said.

Video

Family Loses Weight By Taking Pills

They began taking their medications -- different ones for each person. Often times, the medication Rivas prescribes is a combination of Phentermine, a weight loss drug, and an antidepressant, Hamilton reported.

The medication turns off the hunger switch, according to Rivas, and Randy Clemens -- who started the program first in mid-January at almost 400 pounds -- lost 61 pounds.

"Its like a trigger goes off, and says 'I can stop. I don't have to eat the whole sub, I don't have to eat another slice of pizza,'" Randy Clemens said.

His wife Rosemarie had her first weigh-in after two weeks and she lost eight pounds. Their son Nick, 12, started the program one month ago at 318 pounds with an insatiable hunger. He lost 18 pounds.

And Nick's brother, Bobby, 14, wants to lose 100 pounds so he can play sports.

As the Clemens family eats together, they also take their pills together -- and, hopefully, lose a lot of weight together on a controversial program.

But how does Rivas respond to critics about using drugs to lose weight?

"I'd say you're using drugs to treat high blood pressure. You're using drugs to treat diabetes. You're using drugs to treat asthma and depression and they're not killing as many people as obesity is right now," Rivas said.

WBAL-TV 11 NEWS will follow the Clemens family over the next year to see how they do.

For more information, you can contact Dr. Rivas' office by dialing (410) 583-5677.

Rivas is scheduled to appear on 11 NEWS Wednesday morning (May 14) on 11 NEWS Today during the 6 a.m. hour to talk about his program.

Stay tuned to WBAL-TV 11 NEWS at 5 for Donna Hamilton's Health Alert -- this week is weight-loss week on 11 NEWS, so whether you want to lose 200 pounds or 20, we have the plan for you.

Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 NEWS for the latest health updates.