More than a 30 % of the patients who suffer from Arterial Hypertension (AHT) are obese. A 20 % of weight increase means the patient is 8 times more at risk of developing AHT than a normal individual, and when the person is in the morbid or extreme obesity category, then that risk becomes 16 times higher.

After loosing weight through the obesity surgery, a 50 to 75 % of the patients are cured of AHT, thus no longer being in need of control medication.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is also linked to obesity, and might include Coronary Arteries Disease (CAD) (the arteries that bring blood into the heart), Peripheric Vascular Disease (PVD) (lower limbs arteries and veins) and Congestive Cardiac Insuficiency (CI).

A 50 to 70 % of the patients who suffer from CAD are obese.Being 44 pounds (20 kg) overweight means the patient is 3 times more at risk of developing CAD.

When a person has a high level of fat in the blood, there is a strong probability that fat will settle in the coronary arteries’ walls, thus being at risk of having a cardiac attack.

Weight loss that occurs after surgery reverts this risk, and it reduces the possibility of dying of CAD 40 %.

Varicose veins of the legs (Lower Limbs Varicose Veins Syndrome – LLVVS) may become complicated if ulcers, obstruction and inflammation of the veins occur (tromboflebytis).

90 % of the patients who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes (DBT) (high level of sugar in the blood) are obese. A 15 to 20 % of severe obese patients suffer from this disease. The risk of developing DBT is 2 times higher in slight obese patients, 5 times in moderate obese patients and 10 times higher in a morbidly obese person.

Obesity Surgery cures most of the patients (80-98 %) who suffer from DBT.

The increase in cholesterol and triglycerids (fat in the blood) levels, known as “dislypidemies” (DLP) (40%), is also a risky co-morbidity.

The risk of dying of Cancer (30 % in men, 50 % in women) is also increased. Men have 3 times more possibilities of developing colon and prostate cancer, whereas women have 3 times ovaries, breast and gall-bladder cancer, and 5 times more possibilities of developing uterus cancer (endometrium).

Breathing irregularities, snoring, falling asleep frequently, momentary interruption of breathing while sleeping (Sleep Apnea ) (20%) are very usual in severe obese patients, whose oxygen level in the blood is low; consequently, this blood flows to the brain and the result may be fatal.

Osteoarthritis (OA) (25 %) – known as “rheuma” -, or the deformity and pain in some joints (especially in hips, spine, knees and feet), which have to bear an overweight body, make a significant improvement after a considerable weight loss, and very often the surgical indications on the joints disappear completely.

Women usually suffer from Infertility (INF) (25 %) and their menstruation is irregular (50%). These conditions are reverted after weight loss.

An increasing frequency of spontaneous abortions, hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy, cesareans, heavier babies, as well as urinary incontinence.

Gallstones (3 times more frequent than in non-obese population), a Fatty Liver and Gout, indicate the presence of abnormalities in cholesterol and uric acid metabolism.

Many obese people have 3 times a higher acid flow from the stomach to the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux) than a normal subject. This reflux causes acidity and a burning feeling that goes from the stomach to the throat, especially after eating and when going to bed.

Morbidly obese patients have serious Psychological and Social problems, a low self-esteem, and they have to deal with society’s isolation and its discrimination. The rate of depression is high among these patients (89%), though the increase is not significant in what concerns to major psychological diseases. Psychological problems in social areas often occur during the 2^nd and 3^rd life decade; at these stages, patients have difficulties in finding a partner or making friends.

Patients must be psychologically prepared to face the change of attitude, body image and life style that follows the surgery.

Inactivity, as well as a progressive inmovility and depression, may induce them to eat, thus creating a vicious circle.

They also have Physical and Economic problems, and need to put up with the inconveniences arouse by everyday activities, such us buying clothes, cleaning themselves up, having sexual activity, getting a seat (cinema, train or plane), putting their shoes on, crossing their legs, climbing up the stairs, as well as having to spend more money when buying clothes, food, life insurance. Finding a job and getting a promotion also becomes a problem for an obese person.