Centre for Diabetes & Bariatric Surgery

Obesity becomes morbid when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions (also known as co-morbidities). This results either in significant physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity is a serious and chronic disease, and its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time.

Obesity is a risk factor for life-threatening diseases, including:

• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
• Heart Disease
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
• Stroke
• Heartburn or Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Cancer (in women: endometrial, gallbladder, cervical and uterine; in men: colorectal and prostate)

Studies show that the risk of death from these conditions drops significantly after weight loss.

In addition, obesity contributes to numerous other medical conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis and Gout
• Gallbladder Disease and Gallstones
• High-Risk Pregnancy
• Hypoventilation (Breathing Disorders)
• Infertility
• Psychological Disorders/Social Impairments
• Incontinence
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Low Back Pain
• Degenerative Disc Disease

Six months after surgery for obesity, patients often find they no longer need medications for many of these conditions. Also, many women struggling with infertility before surgery find that conception is possible after weight loss.