Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in the US. People
carrying too much weight are at a higher risk for many serious health
risks and diseases, called comorbidities, including:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Type II diabetes
Coronary heart disease
Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
Reflux disease (GERD)
Joint disease
Obesity also can increase the risk of developing certain cancers, such
as breast cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer,
and uterine cancer.
Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is the most effective way to
treat obesity for the long term. It helps “reset” a person’s
metabolic set-point – so he or she can eat and burn the calories
needed to maintain a healthy weight and body. Patients diagnosed with
obesity who choose weight loss surgery have:
51% lower risk of death long term
48% lower risk of heart and vascular disease
59% lower risk of obesity-related cancers
2x lower risk of vision loss, kidney damage or nerve damage
