Patient Resources

Understanding Obesity

Every year, millions of Americans are diagnosed as being obese. This means the patient is 20 percent or more above their ideal body weight. Clinically severe obesity is a more serious condition in which the patient is 100 or more pounds over their ideal body weight or has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater. When you are obese, your risk of developing other medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke greatly increase. More than 300,000 deaths annually are attributed to obesity and obesity-related conditions.

When healthy dieting and exercise have not helped you reach your weight-loss goals, bariatric surgery might be an option to consider. Surgery helps patients lose weight by restricting food intake, or, in some cases, interrupt the digestive process. There are several surgical options available and recovery time is relatively short.

Covenant Bariatric Seminars

Information seminars on bariatric surgery options are offered each month.

BMI Calculator

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body weight relative to height. BMI can be used to determine if people are at a healthy weight, overweight or obese. Calculate your BMI.

Helpful Websites

American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

Obesity Help

Support Group

Support group meetings for those who have had bariatric surgery are the first Wednesday of every month from 6 to 7 pm in the lobby at Mid-Michigan Surgical Specialists.