Simply put, obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body’s skeletal and physical standards. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk. The more excess weight, the more significant the health risks.

Today, 97 million Americans, more than one-third of the adult population, are overweight or obese. An estimated 5 million to 10 million of those are considered “morbidly obese,” or people whose excessive weight reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases (also known as co-morbidities) that result in physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity is typically defined as bring 100 pounds or more over one’s ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Calculate your BMI now and find out if you are a candidate for our surgical program.

The fact remains that morbid obesity is a complex, multifactorial chronic disease, but there is hope and there are treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical.

Bariatric surgery remains the more extreme of the weight loss options, but perhaps the most effective and the most lasting. Still, for many patients, the risk of death from not having the weight loss surgery is greater than the risks from the possible complications of having the procedure.

Patients who have had the procedure and are benefiting from its results report improvements in their quality of life, social interactions, psychological well-being, employment opportunities and economic condition.

Some people either won't qualify for bariatric surgery or make a personal decision not to opt for it. For those, our non-surgical, medically -supervised weight loss program is another option. We've had patients lose anywhere from 20 lbs. to more than 250 lbs. Participating in our maintenance program increases the likelihood of long-term weight management.