Morbid Obesity

What is it?

Morbid obesity is the condition of having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40, or of being 100 pounds overweight. Obesity alone is associated to a number of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol, and to several medical complications, such as cardiac dysfunction, digestive diseases and pulmonary problems, among others.

How can it be overcome?

It is medically advisable that a patient suffering from morbid obesity engages in a treatment for achieving weight loss. This goal should always be attempted first by both a prescribed diet and regular exercise. However, it is very difficult to achieve consistent, long-term weight loss by these two means alone, and therefore a surgical intervention is sometimes required. This intervention is known as weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery.