Approximately two-thirds of the US population is overweight and more than 50 million are obese. In the world, more than 2.5 million deaths annually can be attributed to obesity; in the United States, over 400,000, second only to cigarette smoking (Buchwald, J Am Coll Surgery, 2005).

Obesity is classified according to Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI expresses the relationship between weight and height and is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

BMI CALCULATOR
Calculate your BMI using the BMI calculator at www.asbs.org/html/patients/bmi.html

The medical implications of obesity include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Lipid disorders
• Heart Disease
• Asthma
• Sleep Apnea
• Gallstones
• NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
• Urinary incontinence
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Osteoarthritis and gout
• Infertility and menstrual problems
• Obstetric complications
• Low back pain
• DVT & thromboembolism
• Depression
• Immobility
• Cancer (breast, colorectal, prostate, endometrial, etc)
• Venous/stasis ulcers
• Skin infections
• Intertrigo
• Accident proneness

Weight loss (bariatric) surgery may be the solution for people suffering from severe obesity and related health conditions. Studies demonstrate that bariatric surgery, as compared to non-surgical treatments, yields the longest period of sustained weight loss in patients who have failed using other therapies. Bariatric surgery is a unique surgery in that it can potentially cure numerous medical diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, chronic headaches, and hypertension.

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center recognizes that bariatric surgery is not the answer for everyone. Our expertly trained medical team is dedicated to finding the best solution for your weight loss needs.