INTRODUCTION
Welcome
to the Center for Obesity Surgery, the largest comprehensive
center for bariatric surgery in the District of Columbia.
Obesity
is one of the major health problems confronting the United
States. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the population
is overweight and over ten million Americans are more than
100 pounds over their ideal weight.
If you
are like most Americans you struggle each and every day with
your weight. But for some, it is more than just simply being
a few pounds over where you'd like to be on the scale. For
some, it can be a matter of life and death. Every day, more
and more Americans are diagnosed as suffering from severe
(or morbid) obesity. Those included in this group are 100
pounds or more over their ideal body weight and face increased
health risks including a higher likelihood of heart disease,
hypertension, diabetes, as well as certain cancers. Excess
weight can also cause sleep apnea, as well as arthritis and
back pain. These weight related health problems called co-morbidities
can also lead to an increased incidence of premature death.
Over 300,000 Americans die of obesity related illnesses each
year. Obesity also extracts a high toll in human suffering.
Low self-esteem and clinical depression are often tied to
an individual's relationship with their weight and their quality
of life.
Most
obese individuals have struggled unsuccessfully with their
weight for many years. The numerous diets, commercial weight
loss centers offering treatments such as hypnosis, pituitary
hormones, appetite suppressant drugs, and behavioral therapy
attest to the great difficulty many overweight people have
in losing weight and keeping it off. Some of these weight
loss strategies may be successful in people with mild obesity,
but nearly all fail in individuals 100 pounds or more over
their ideal body weight.
AT
PRESENT, OBESITY SURGERY IS THE ONLY PROVEN EFFECTIVE THERAPY
FOR SEVERE OBESITY.
Patients are encouraged to attend the Firday group so the size of the Wenesday group will be more managable. We hope this will make group a more comfortable experience and allow us to meet your needs more effectively.
NEW PATIENT SEMINARS EVERY THURSDAY AT TWO PM AND
THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT TEN AM AT OUR LOCATION
1011 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20037
CALL TO BOOK AN A PPOINTMENT 202-659-0240
FREE PARKING FOR SATURDAY SEMINARS, PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS.
SUPPORT GROUPS ARE EVERY WEDNSDAY AT 12 NOON TILL ONE PM, |