The DFW Bariatric Institute Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Health Risks
Related to Obesity
Obesity is a disease characterized by excess weight, but treating obesity is about much more than just fitting into a smaller size. Obesity also correlates to many diseases and health conditions, some of which can be painful, debilitating, and life-threatening. At DFW Bariatric Institute, we are committed to providing weight loss solutions that help people live healthier lives.
Heart Disease and Obesity
Each year in the United States, 1 of every 4 deaths can be attributed to heart disease.1 What does heart disease have to do with obesity? Studies have found a direct link between obesity and heart disease, and people with a high BMI may be at greater risk for coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure.2 Studies also have shown that obesity can cause systemic inflammation, which may contribute to heart attack risk.3
Diabetes and Obesity
Many people with obesity also suffer from Type 2 diabetes, a disease which causes insulin resistance and can lead to kidney damage, vision issues, and an increased risk of stroke. Diabetes can also be a costly disease to manage properly. While Type 2 diabetes has a genetic component and can affect people of average weight, specialists agree that excess weight increases the severity of insulin resistance and contributes to diabetes complications.
Learn More About the Connection Between Obesity and Diabetes
Osteoarthritis, Joint Pain, and Obesity
People with excess weight have extra pressure on their joints, which can lead to joint pain and decreased mobility. Medical professionals estimate that every 10 pounds of excess weight exerts the pressure of 30 to 60 pounds on your knees. Patients with obesity may be 5 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis, which is a painful condition that causes joint cartilage and underlying bones to degenerate.4 Obesity may also cause increased back and neck pain.
Sleep Apnea and Obesity
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes disordered breathing during sleep, which can lead patients to stop breathing during the night, and in turn causes extreme fatigue. Sleep apnea can also correlate with high blood pressure caused by frequent drops in blood oxygen levels. People with obesity are twice as likely to have OSA than average-weight people.5
Other Health Conditions Associated With Obesity
Obesity is a complex disease and medical researchers are still learning about how it affects the body. The National Cancer Institute states that evidence from observational studies may indicate that obesity increases the risk of many types of cancer, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer. Other diseases that people with obesity may be at higher risk for include gout, gallbladder disease, infertility, carpal tunnel syndrome, and GERD.
Treatment Options for Obesity
While the obvious cure for obesity is weight loss, anyone who has tried to lose weight knows that it is not that simple. Losing weight through diet and exercise alone is extremely challenging because hormonal and metabolic factors can influence the way the human body holds onto excess weight. Fortunately, there are weight loss procedures that are safe and proven to be effective. The experienced bariatric surgeons at DFW Bariatric Institute offer treatments that can help reduce your risk of obesity-related health conditions. For example, gastric sleeve surgery can improve or cure Type 2 diabetes for 70% of patients.6 Learn more about bariatric surgery options and non-surgical weight loss options in Dallas. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation in Colleyville, Frisco, or Rockwall, Texas.
References:
1 CDC, NCHS. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2013 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2015. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2013, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.
2 Obesity and Heart DiseaseA Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association, Robert H. Eckel and For the Nutrition Committee https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.96.9.3248 Circulation. 1997;96:3248–3250
3 Packer M. J Am Coll Cardiol 2018;71:2360-72
4 Anderson J, Felson DT: Factors associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination (HANES I). Am.J.Epidemiol. 1988;128:179-189.
5 Interactions Between Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Implications for Treatment Abel Romero-Corral, MD, MSc, Sean M. Caples, DO, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD, MSc, and Virend K. Somers, MD, PhD, FCCP doi: 10.1378/chest.09-0360
6 Journal of Diabetes Research 2015; 2015: 674268. Published online 2015 Apr 14. Doi
Patient Testimonials
Janet S.
Lost 93 pounds*
"93 pounds later, I have a whole new life. I’ve gone from a size 24 down to 10-12. I no longer have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. My knees, which were in sad shape before surgery, don’t hurt anymore. I joined a gym and participate in water aerobics and a latin impact aerobics class. My whole life has changed. I have much more confidence in myself and love to be with people."
Vivian P.
Lost 140 pounds*
“First off….this surgery will give you your life back. It is a total life changing surgery and I feel like I owe DFW Bariatric my life since they restored mine to me. My weight ballooned up to 273 lbs before my surgery. I have successfully lost and maintained a 140 lb weight loss… This is the most amazing journey that anyone could ever take and the DFW Bariatric Institute staff will all be there to hold your hand and lead you down the road to your success.”
Sherrie M.
Lost 110 pounds*
“I am currently 29 years old and weigh 130 lbs. Before surgery I weighed almost 240 lbs…This is the best thing I have done with my life and would do it again today. It changed my life drastically. My surgeon said to me, 'I can do 50% for you and give you the surgery, but the other 50% is up to you. Your eating, your exercise, your total outlook on life make up the other 50%. And what you want from the surgery is what you will get, and the life you will gain.'”
John E.
Lost 90 pounds*
“I went to a seminar and left there with complete ease, feeling like everyone cared about me and my health. On first office visit I was totally impressed…I never felt rushed in the office, and always felt everyone cared. My surgery was completed and I am now down 90 pounds…The biggest part of recovery comes from the encouragement DFW Bariatric gives. Everyone is always positive and takes the time to explain things in a positive way.”
Kathy D.
Lost 161 pounds*
“There are no words to express the amount of change that weight loss surgery has brought to my life. I am a 54 year old female. There were so many things I was unable to do before the surgery that I blamed on age. It wasn’t my age at all, it was the weight. I am 30 again…The day of my surgery, I weighed 299 pounds. Today I weigh 138 and wear a size 6…I feel so good about myself now. The surgery saved my life!”
Brian S.
Lost 130 pounds*
“After losing 130 pounds, I feel like I have a new lease on life. I was able to stop all of my diabetes, high blood pressure, and my cholesterol medicines. I have always had chronic knee problems and now I am able to run three miles per day without any pain. If I had a choice of doing this surgery again or not, I would definitely do it again. I feel that by having the surgery it not only gave me my life back but it also saved my life.”
Lorna Q.
Lost 107 pounds*
"I have lost the astonishing amount of 107 pounds in less than a year. I feel like I have my life back and I am in control again. All my family and friends are always telling me that I look happier than before and they are right, I am much, much happier than before. I have to thank DFW Bariatric and my husband for helping me throughout this very emotional and amazing journey. I do not regret at all having the surgery, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.”
Danielle L.
Lost 154 pounds*
“My outlook on life was so different before having my weight loss surgery. I was taking medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, and my back, legs, and shoulders hurt all the time which kept me from sleeping. My start weight was 298 pounds. And I am now 144. I’m no longer on any type of medications. My body is the best shape I have ever been in. I am so happy to be where I am today mentally and physically. With my hard work and dedication and with the aid of DFW Bariatric, I am where I want to be. I trust this team with all my heart.”
Dennis H.
Lost 170 pounds*
“At 365 pounds, I was medicated for high blood pressure, diabetes, joint inflammation, and high cholesterol…I was a living example of morbid obesity. I knew then that it was time to do something with my weight…It was not easy to get through all of the hoops that my health plan demanded, but the DFW Bariatric team helped me every step of the way. Today I weigh 195 pounds and feel great! From the time I left the hospital after surgery I have been free from all prescription medications. I can never thank this team enough for giving me back my life."
