The incidence of obesity and morbid obesity among adults in the United States has continued to increase to epidemic proportions during the past 20 years. The adverse effects of obesity and obesity-related medical conditions have severely affected every aspect of our healthcare system. Multiple studies have now documented the effects of obesity, including greater mortality, increased hospital admissions and outpatient visits, decreased quality of life, and overall costs to the healthcare system that run to billions of dollars annually.
Bariatric surgery has now become widely accepted and scientifically proven as the most effective method for control of both morbid obesity and the obesity-related medical conditions that plague this population. These include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, and debilitating joint disease. For patients who meet the criteria for bariatric surgery established by the National Institute of Health, this procedure can be a life-altering and lifesaving intervention. However, as with many hospital-based therapies, a number of additional obstacles to access exist for patients who could clearly benefit from a bariatric procedure.
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