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VIDEO

About Bariatric Surgery

The Facts

Obesity is a serious medical disease. The chance of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, infertility, osteoarthritis and certain cancers are increased by obesity and their risks increase as a person's weight increases. Obesity can also have social and psychological implications.

The prevalence of morbid obesity in the United States is rising rapidly and is known to negatively affect many aspects of an individual's life. Despite the fact that billions of dollars are spent on weight reduction, 50 to 60% of the adult population are overweight or obese. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve the health and quality of life and produce sustained weight loss in appropriate patients. Surgery is the only remedy that can document long term weight loss in the majority of morbidly obese individuals. While surgery does not replace the need to exercise and make better food choices, it makes these goals realistic and provides a long-term control mechanism to assist in managing this chronic problem.

Bariatric surgery is recognized by the American Heart Association and the American College of Surgeons and endorsed by the National Institutes of Health as a treatment for clinically severe obesity.

We encourage you to learn as much as you can about bariatric surgery. Talk to family, friends, health care professionals or counselors, attend our informational seminars or support groups and check out books and websites on the subject.

We look forward to assisting you in the various steps you'll need to take for a successful surgery.

Why Mather Hospital?

Patients choose our Bariatric Center not only for our outstanding clinical team, but also for our friendly, supportive environment. Our center provides coordinated services designed to support you while your weight returns to a healthy level.

Whether you're 18 or 60 years old, our program offers everything you need - from informational meetings and preoperative testing to surgery and postoperative care. And our commitment to you doesn't end after surgery. We offer ongoing assistance and postoperative guidance to help in your improved long-term health and weight loss success.

Click here for a listing of support groups and education meetings.