Quality of Life

Obesity is increasing in epidemic proportions internationally. 1 Health care costs for the treatment of obesity and its complications have also increased. Recent estimates are that $70 billion or 9.4% of all health care costs are attributable to treating obesity and obesity-related complications. 2,3 As the population's weight has become heavier, 4,6 the prevalence of morbid obesity has dramatically increased.7 Morbid obesity is associated with significant medical complications such as sleep apnea, hypertension, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, and other degenerative conditions. 8-18 Although these disorders respond to weight loss, individuals who have morbid obesity rarely achieve long-term weight loss with dietary interventions. 19 Bariatric surgery remains the only method that culminates in sustained weight loss with subsequent control of obesity-related complications. 20 Bariatric surgery effectively treats obesity-induced diabetes mellitus, 21,22 hypertension, 23-26 hyperlipidemia. 27-32 osteoarthritis, pulmonary hypertension, 33 and sleep apnea. 34-36 The effects of obesity on health and, similarly, the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in treating obesity-related comorbid conditions is well documented.