Emotional and mental health

Television and magazines as well as society in general bombard us with images of lean, physically fit people.  The message they offer is that we must look that way to be truly happy. 

Obese people are often stigmatized by society and suffer from discrimination due to their size.  Many people still feel that obesity relates to a self-control problem or laziness rather than the disease that it is. 

All of these things combine to make the morbidly obese patient feel even more out of control and helpless.

There is strong evidence that obesity is indeed a disease, no different than diabetes or high blood pressure. 

Just like many other diseases, it is thought that individuals have varying levels of genetic risks for becoming overweight, and when combined with environmental factors, morbid obesity results. 

People with this affliction are unable to stop eating because their brains are not receiving the signal that tells them to stop eating. 

This is why many obese people have a history of a “yo-yo” type weight loss with multiple failures of diet, behavioral modifications and exercise programs.

Sociological studies have shown that morbid obesity decreases your chances of getting a new job or a promotion in your present job. 

Morbid obesity has also been associated with decreased pay for any given level of employment.  Stress, anxiety and depression are often associated with morbid obesity.

Many of you have tried desperately to control your weight.  You have literally tried every diet, behavioral modification program, and exercise program that you can find. 

While some of you may have experienced temporary success and the loss of even 30 or 40 pounds, you have been unable to maintain this long-term.  You are not alone. 

This is the experience for most morbidly obese patients.  Gastric bypass surgery, for many of you, represents your last hope to take control of your disease.

Good News!  There is reason for hope as we anticipate a long-term and lasting weight loss with all of these positive effects on your health and well being.