Bariatric Surgery Addresses Serious Health RisksBariatric surgery can help prevent serious health complications of morbid obesity. It's important to understand that the risks of morbid obesity are more serious than having back pain, bladder problems, gallstones, or kidney stones. Some of the more serious medical conditions associated with morbid obesity, which can often be addressed with bariatric surgery, include:
- High blood pressure: Among obese adults, high blood pressure occurs with a higher frequency than among adults who are not obese.
- High cholesterol: On average, overweight and obese individuals have too many fats, including unhealthy cholesterols, in their blood, resulting in chest pain, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
- Type 2 diabetes: Over 80% of adults diagnosed with diabetes are overweight or obese. If you are overweight even by 11-18 pounds, your chances of contracting type 2 diabetes have doubled.
- Arthritis: For every two pounds of weight gained by an individual, the risk of arthritis can increase by as much as 13%.
- Respiratory distress: It is more likely for an obese adult than a healthy adult to get asthma or sleep apnea, which can cause additional health problems.
- Cancer: Obesity has been linked to an increased risk in many types of cancers, including endometrial, breast, prostate, kidney, esophageal, and colon.
- Complications with pregnancy: Women who are obese are at higher risk of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, delivery complications, and birth defects.
- Premature death: The most serious risk of being morbidly obese is the mortality rate. Someone who is obese has a 50-100% increased risk of dying prematurely.
It's important to speak with your physician about getting on the path to a healthy weight if you suffer from morbid obesity. Your doctor may talk to you about the risks and potential benefits of bariatric surgery. Every step you take towards being healthy is a step away from the potential of serious, possibly life-threatening, medical conditions.
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