Obesity has become the most common metabolic disorder in the western world. It is a complex and multifaceted disease in which genetics, lifestyle, and nutritional habits play an important role.
A large amount of scientific literature confirms that bariatric surgery is the most effective way to achieve a lasting weight reduction in patients with morbid obesity and to overcome health problems associated with this illness.
Although many obese patients can initially lose weight by modifying their diet and increasing physical exercise, they often experience the lifelong tendency to regain weight easily. Additionally, the more severe the case of obesity is, the more difficult it can be to consistently lose weight. This is the result of metabolic complications and the difficulty in engaging in physical exercise.
Morbid obesity has significant health implications. It leads to a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break without medical or surgical help. It will dramatically reduce life expectancy, limit an individual’s ability to do daily physical activity, and can negatively impact social relations in friendships, family and work. Obesity is also associated with many diseases, as shown in the following chart:
