Obesity is a life-long progressive, life threatening condition marked by the excess accumulation of body fat, which can significantly reduce life expectancy.

When weight reaches extreme levels, it is called MORBID OBESITY and is a chronic condition or a 'DISEASE'.

Obesity is rarely just a physiological problem problem. This disorder has far reaching effects; physiological, psychological and social. On the physical front, obesity can lead to several complications that could be fatal or incapacitating if left untreated.

Some of the most common diseases that are directly and indirectly linked to obesity are:

Finding out if you are obese is simple; you calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI:

Obesity is also defined by waist size - over 90 cm in males and over 80 cm in females.

There are various categories of obesity, but the most severe kind is morbid obesity. A morbidly obese patient is typically 45 kg (100 lb) overweight, or has a BMI of 40 or higher. Morbid obesity drastically increases your chances of developing obesity related co-morbidities.

Bariatric Surgery is a simple surgical procedure wherein the size of the stomach is curtailed leading to reduced consumption of calories. Given that India and the world has a burgeoning population of obese people, bariatric surgery proves to be the best and most effective way to lose and maintain weight. Bariatric surgery not only cures obesity but also its allied co-morbidities. People who fall in the Grade III category of obesity stand most eligible, patients in Grade II obesity with one or more co-morbidities may also opt for bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery leads to drastic weight loss, in a significantly smaller time frame; it also requires less effort to lose weight. More importantly bariatric surgery significantly increases the life span of an obese individual simultaneously ridding of co-morbidities.

The different bariatric procedures are :

Success in weight loss is inevitable with bariatric surgery. However we consider it successful only when our patient loses 50 percent or more of his or her excess weight. Most patients lose all of their excess weight and gain numerous health benefits, while some may require exercising to accelerate the weight loss rate. Like in any other surgery a few hours or days of rest are recommended. One can resume everyday activities almost immediately after the surgery. We recommend a week's rest before resuming work. We also mention that one should avoid strenuous activities like weight lifting etc until a month. Walking is strongly recommended, to hasten the healing process and accelerate the weight loss.