Weight Loss Surgery Overview

What is Morbid Obesity?

Morbid obesity is a chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time. An estimated 5-10 million Americans are considered morbidly obese. Obesity becomes “morbid” when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases (also known as comorbidities) that can result either in significant physical disability or even death.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The definition of morbid obesity is based on a person’s body mass index. You can calculate your BMI online by using our online calculator in the right column.

What does your BMI mean? A person is considered overweight if his/her BMI is more than 25, obese if BMI is more than 30, and morbidly obese if BMI is more than 40.

Risk of Health Problems

Obesity is known to increase a person’s risk of many health problems (known as “comorbidities”). Below is a list of some of the more common comorbidities associated with obesity.

› Diabetes (high sugar)
› Hypertension (high blood pressure)
› Degenerative joint disease (arthritis)
› Sleep apnea syndrome (health problems related to snoring)
› Gallstones
› Female menstrual irregularities
› Heart disease
› Lung disease
› Certain cancers

Countless studies have shown that weight loss surgery can have a positive impact on obesity-related health problems.  For morbidly obese people, weight loss surgery can substantially improve, eliminate, or even prevent the development of comorbidities such as these.

Risk of Death

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of death from all causes, and this risk increases as a person’s weight problem worsens (as indicated by an increase in BMI).  People who are morbidly obese (BMI more than 40) are especially at risk of dying at an earlier age.  For morbidly obese people, weight loss surgery has been shown to reduce their risk of premature death.

Psychological, Social and Economic impact

Morbid obesity can have an impact on a person’s psychological well-being. For example, people who are morbidly obese may become depressed or have a sense of helplessness about their weight problem.  Severe obesity can also limit a person’s access to everyday comforts and activities that many people take for granted. The small seats in airplanes and movie theaters are good examples of this. People who are morbidly obese are often the subject of inappropriate glances and comments from other people. This type of behavior can have a major impact on a person’s social and work life, and can even lead to job discrimination.

Although no surgical procedure can claim to be a panacea for problems such as these, weight loss surgery has been shown to improve overall quality of life for people who have been struggling with morbid obesity.

Considering Surgery

Morbid obesity is a serious disease, associated with significant health risks, reduced quality of life, and little chance of success with a conventional non-operative approach to weight loss.  While weight loss surgery is not without risks, the benefits generally far outweigh the risks for people who are suffering with morbid obesity.

If you or someone you love is morbidly obese, please call us at (828) 327-9178 to get a full assessment of your condition. Weight loss surgery may be an option for you.