The problem of obesity in America continues to rise sharply every year.  Over 65% of Americans are either overweight or obese.  It is well established that obesity is associated with a wide variety of co-morbidities and it accounts for a big portion of health care cost in this country.  The medical cost for obese individuals is approximately 1,500 dollars higher in average than a normal weight individual.  There is also an alarming increase in childhood and adolescents obesity.

 The continued growth of obesity has been closely followed by an increase in obesity related deaths.  Heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers account for a large number of this casualties.

As a result of the increase in obesity rates, the number of people who are candidates for weight loss surgery has also increase.  Between 1998 and 2004 weight loss operations rose from 13,386 to 121,055.  The benefits of weight loss surgery are well established.  I will be discussing more about the risk, benefits and outcomes of bariatric surgery in subsequent post.