BARIATRIC SURGERY AS A

Of particular concern is the rapid increase within the most extreme weight categories, resulting in the heaviest individuals becom-ing heavier.1,2 The prevalence of severe obe-sity, defined as BMI> 40 or approximately> 100 lbs. overweight, increased by 50% from 2000 to 2005, with 1 in 20 Ameri-cans now severely obese.2 Severely obese in-dividuals, compared to those who are less overweight, have higher rates of obesity-re-lated comorbidities and higher health care expenditures, compared to those who are less overweight