The disease of life-threatening obesity is at epidemic proportions

There are approximately 15 million Americans with life-threatening obesity

Life-threatening obesity is defined as 100 pounds above ideal body weight, or a BMI (body mass index) of greater than 40

America is the heaviest nation in the world

25% of our children are now overweight

Patients with life-threatening obesity die, on average, 12-15 years earlier than their normal weight counterparts

Patients with life-threatening obesity suffer from multiple medical conditions that affect nearly every organ system in their body, including:
     - Type II diabetes
     - High blood pressure
     - Elevated cholesterol
     - Arthritis
     - Depression
     - Cardiac disease

Bariatric surgery is the current cure for life-threatening obesity  

Patients who choose to pursue bariatric surgery do so to live longer, healthier lives

Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery

Bariatric surgery is a tool to help patients lose weight

Bariatric patients succeed when they are a part of a comprehensive program that provides lifelong follow-up, dietician support, support groups and exercise specialist services

Bariatric surgery requires a major, lifelong commitment to a change in diet and behavior

Risks of bariatric surgery today are far less than the risk of living with life-threatening obesity

Diet and exercise alone have shown long-term effectiveness in only 5% of patients

Bariatric surgery provides long-lasting weight loss

Successful weight loss from bariatric surgery can eliminate the medical conditions that patients suffer from

This successful weight loss translates into lower healthcare costs, more productive workers and patients who "have been reborn"