Important Facts About Obesity and Bariatric Surgery

Patients who choose bariatric surgery to help them lose weight can achieve long-lasting weight loss. Here are more important facts about obesity and bariatric surgery:

Facts About Obesity

  • Approximately 15 million Americans have life-threatening obesity
  • Life-threatening obesity is defined as 100 pounds above ideal body weight or a BMI (body mass index) greater than 40
  • America is the heaviest nation in the world
  • 25 percent of U.S. children are overweight
  • Patients with life-threatening obesity die an average of 12-15 years earlier than people of normal weight
  • Patients with life-threatening obesity suffer from multiple medical conditions that affect nearly every organ system in their body, including:
    • Type II diabetes
    • High blood pressure
    • Elevated cholesterol
    • Arthritis
    • Depression
    • Cardiac disease

Facts About Bariatric Surgery

  • Bariatric surgery is the cure for life-threatening obesity
  • Patients choose bariatric surgery to live longer, healthier lives
  • Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery
  • Bariatric surgery is a tool to help patients lose weight
  • Bariatric patients succeed when they are a part of a comprehensive program that provides lifelong follow-up, dietician support, support groups and exercise specialist services
  • Bariatric surgery requires a major, lifelong commitment to changing diet and behavior
  • The risks of bariatric surgery are far less than the risk of living with life-threatening obesity
  • Diet and exercise alone have shown long-term effectiveness in only 5 percent of patients
  • Bariatric surgery provides long-lasting weight loss
  • Successful weight loss from bariatric surgery can eliminate other medical conditions in patients
  • This successful weight loss translates into lower healthcare costs and more productive workers