Morbid Obesity

A person with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more is considered to be obese, while a BMI of 40 or more means morbid obesity. Recent studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that roughly 9 million adults in the United States are morbidly obese, making obesity a national health crisis of near-epidemic proportions.

And obesity is now the second most common cause of death in the United States. Obesity, and especially morbid obesity, carries with it some very serious health risks. People who are morbidly obese are at an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, stroke, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, joint pain including gout, osteoarthritis, respiratory diseases, gallbladder disease, and certain cancers. Women who are obese or morbidly obese also face a higher risk of reproductive and gynecological problems than their peers who maintain normal body weight. While each of these conditions and diseases pose a serious threat to a person’s health and lifespan, many of these conditions can be reduced or even eliminated through weight loss.

While the physical threats associated with obesity are serious and deadly, many patients struggle just as much or even more with the emotional side effects of their obesity. People who are obese also face mental and social health threats as depression, social anxiety, decreased social activity, and even prejudices and discrimination. Many or all of these issues can be remedied through significant weight loss.

A weight loss program using a controlled diet, of course, is always the first choice.

Morbid Obesity and Travel for Weight Loss Surgery

Some patients who have suffered from morbid obesity and for some reason or other have not been able to lose weight using diet have undergone low cost weight loss surgery such as LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System placement, other adjustable gastric band surgery or other bariatric surgery procedures in other countries including Mexico, in the cities of Leon, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta and others. See also on this website: Low Cost Lap Band Surgery - Travel

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