Individuals are considered morbidly obese when they have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above. Generally, these patients are 100 pounds or more overweight. The excess weight associated with morbid obesity places vast amounts of stress on almost every system of the body, which can shorten life span and decrease an individual’s quality of life. Weight loss surgery is usually ideal for those who are morbidly obese, as the benefits of surgery greatly overshadow the risks.

Morbid obesity is considered a chronic disease that can lead to a variety of often life-threatening health problems. For morbidly obese patients, undergoing a surgical weight loss procedure such as gastric bypass surgery or gastric banding and reducing body weight can diminish, and in some cases entirely eliminate, obesity related health complications.

Welcome to the Obesity Diary Blog where we will discuss a variety of topics about obesity and weight loss including diets, medications, exercise, bariatric surgery and other available options for living a healthier life. We encourage you to check back frequently as we will update this blog periodically with new information.