For me, weight loss surgery had more to do with "preventing" the onset of serious medical conditions than resolving them. Unlike most people struggling with morbid obesity, I did not find myself hindered by diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, or any of the myriad illnesses that strike the obese. What I did have was a family history of diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, asthma and stroke - brought on by obesity - and a personal history of unsuccessful attempts at conventional weight loss methods.

"It has been 15 months since my surgery and
I have lost 97 pounds. I am now able to give
these guys a run for their money!"   -Angel

When I topped 275 lbs, the slightest activity left me out-of-breath and out of energy. My weight had begun to interfere with the one most important thing in my life - keeping up with my boys!

It was then that I decided that breaking the "family chain" of obesity had to begin with me. I visited the Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Hahnemann University Hospital. It was the smartest decision I ever made.

The reality of morbid obesity is that it puts people who are 100 or more pounds overweight at a greater risk of developing very serious medical conditions. Bariatric surgery offers hope and help to those who have tried repeatedly to lose excess weight and keep it off.

Weight loss is only one benefit of bariatric surgery - It can also help improve or resolve pre-existing medial conditions associated with obesity, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, joint pain and gastroesophageal reflux disease. *