Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. It can lead to long-term serious health problems. “Being overweight has many negative effects on the body. It causes many comorbidities, including high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis,” says Brandon Ingram, M.D., a general and bariatric surgeon at CHI St. Vincent. “There have been several studies to show that being overweight for a long period of time can decrease your life span. So if you are in the overweight or obese category and certainly the morbidly obese category, the first step would be to modify your diet. Doing dietary changes and including exercise in that is going to be the first step towards a healthier life. After many attempts at weight loss on your own, surgery is going to be the most effective mode of weight loss.”

Learn more about diabetes and endocrinology services at CHI St. Vincent.