If you’ve struggled with a severe weight problem that neither diet nor exercise has helped, you’re not alone. More than 1.5 million Americans are 100 pounds or more overweight, or have a body mass index (BMI) above 40. For these people, losing weight is more than a matter of appearance — it is critical to their health.

Obesity is a life-threatening disease that contributes to 300,000 deaths each year and is the second preventable cause of death behind smoking. Obesity puts you at risk for:

• Type 2 diabetes 
• Hypertension/high blood pressure 
• Heart disease 
• Stroke 
• Sleep apnea 
• Respiratory problems 
• Cancer
• Osteoarthritis 
• Joint problems