New Data Highlights Benefits, Risks of Obesity Surgery
Obesity has become an epidemic, with 30% of the U.S. population obese and an additional 35% overweight, including children and adolescents. Bariatric surgical procedures have skyrocketed in recent years, with hospital costs exceeding $1.2 billion, and good success rates. However, for certain groups, such as patients over 65, the risks of bariatric surgery may outweigh the benefits. Much needs to be done to address this troubling and growing public health problem.