If you are morbidly obese, you have a much greater risk of developing a variety of serious co-morbid medical conditions compared to individuals who are not obese. You may also develop health problems at a younger age. These include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease/Angina/Congestive heart failure
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Sleep apnea
• Back and joint pain
• Pregnancy complications, including diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia and 
• C-section delivery
• Menstrual irregularity and infertility in women
• Bladder problems
• Gallstones
• Kidney stones
• Liver disease
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Gout
• Poor heat tolerance
• Complications and infections after surgery
• Skin infections
• Depression and eating disorders
• Endometrial, breast, prostate, kidney, esophageal and colon cancers
• Family history of any of the above
  
  Morbid obesity is second only to cigarette smoking as a leading cause of preventable death.   Your doctor can discuss smoking cessation program options with you prior to surgery, if necessary.