Weighing the risks of gastric bypass surgery: bariatric surgery is an increasingly popular way...

One can barely read a newspaper or magazine or watch television without being constantly reminded that many Americans are grossly overweight and getting more so every year. Almost two-thirds of the adults in the United States are overweight, and 30 percent are considered obese. (1)

Morbidly obese people are more than 100 pounds over their ideal body weight, putting them at a greatly increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Obesity also increases the risks of complications related to surgery. Nevertheless, seriously overweight