Mercy Bariatric Services

Obesity

Scope of obesity in the U.S.

25% of American children are overweight or obese
60% of adult Americans are overweight, 22% of adult Americans are obese
Between 5 to 10 million Americans are morbidly obese, 80% of whom are women in childbearing age

Obesity health risks

1 in 7 morbidly obese patients will live to their full life expectancy
Obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the United States
Cost attributed to obesity approaches $100 billion annually, and direct cost of obesity is 6 % of the total U.S. health expenditures

Medical Conditions (Co-morbidities)

Morbid obesity is a significant health concern. There are multiple health problems associated with morbid obesity including:

Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Hyperlipidemia
Cardiac disease
Sleep apnea
Osteoarthritis
GERD
Depression
Stress incontinence
Menstrual irregularity

Medical management often fails to sustain weight loss, and management of the co-morbidities is expensive and often ineffective. Bariatric surgery currently provides the only significant, sustained weight loss. Many co-morbidities are resolved or improved. One study revealed that after weight loss surgery, up to:

99% respiratory dysfunction resolved
95% hypertension improved
95% cardiac dysfunction improved,
90% diabetes resolved
85% arthritis improved
95% hyperlipidemia resolved
95% urinary stresses incontinence resolved
99% GERDs resolved

With the reversal of these diseases, thousands of dollars in medical costs and medications are saved. Patients live a much better quality of life. Weight loss surgery is a life-changing event. If the surgical treatment of obesity is to be effective, the expertise of multiple disciplines, as recommended by the National Institute of Health, is essential in the process of patient selection and management. Complications are often preventable with careful patient selection, surgical skill and comprehensive support services.