At Baptist Health, we have a proven track record of helping patients achieve their weight loss goals. Not only are our patients happy to get rid of excess weight, many of them also find freedom from chronic conditions that have impacted their daily lives.

Our depth of expertise and broad range of treatments can help you achieve lasting weight loss results. In fact, losing just 10 percent of your excess weight can significantly lower your risk of complications from chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.

Comorbidities, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Bariatric Surgery

A comorbidity is when a person has one or more chronic health problems at the same time. If a person is severely or morbidly obese, they are more likely to have an obesity-related comorbidity. Common comorbidities in obese patients include diabetes, heart problems and sleep apnea.

We use a combination of your body-to-weight ratio (BMI) and whether you have any comorbidities to determine your risk for future health complications. If you have a higher than normal risk, you are more likely to benefit from weight loss surgery. Find out more: Am I a Candidate?

You may be eligible for weight loss surgery if you have:

A BMI of 40 or higher (morbidly obese); or
• A BMI between 35 and 39.9 (severely obese) plus at least one comorbidity

Can Bariatric Surgery Cure Obesity-Related Comorbidities?

To prevent and even cure comorbidities associated with obesity, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. According to recent studies, bariatric surgery patients:

• Have a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disorders, cancers, endocrine-related disorders, including diabetes, infectious diseases and psychiatric and mental disorders
• Have a significantly reduced risk of death

Obesity-Related Conditions and Comorbidities We Treat

Our treatments not only help you lose weight, but they can also help you overcome the comorbidities that often go hand in hand with excessive weight. These comorbidities include:

• Diabetes: Being overweight puts patients who are diabetic at a much higher risk for complications. Learn more about types of diabetes.
• High blood pressure: Patients who are overweight often experience high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to health problems like heart disease, kidney failure and stroke. Learn more about high blood pressure.
• Heart disease: As a person’s weight increases, so does his or her risk of heart disease. In fact, obesity can even lead to eventual heart failure.
• Sleep apnea: A condition that sees a patient’s airways blocked during sleep, obesity is almost always the cause of sleep apnea. Learn more about sleep apnea.
• Joint disease: Excess weight places undue stress on the body’s joints. Over time, this can increase your risk for certain types of arthritis. Learn more about arthritis.
• Asthma: Being overweight can place added stress on your lungs by restricting your airflow. Obesity can not only make it more difficult to breathe, but it can also make chronic conditions like asthma much worse. Learn more about asthma.
• High cholesterol: Being overweight puts you at greater risk for having high cholesterol. High cholesterol can also lead to complications like heart disease and stroke.

How to Start Your Weight Loss Surgery Journey

Take the first steps toward a healthier, happier you by:  

1. Completing a new patient information packet so we can start getting to know you:

• Floyd new patient information packet
• Lexington new patient information packet
• Louisville new patient information packet
• Paducah new patient information packet and insurance questionnaire
• Richmond new patient information packet

2. Attending an optional in-person or online surgeon-led information session to learn more about your bariatric surgery options.