March 19, 2008 01:00 ET

Riverside Now Offers the Most Comprehensive Hospital-Based Bariatric Surgery Program in the Region

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - March 19, 2008) - Riverside is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive bariatric surgery centers of the hospitals in the Chicago area. The Riverside Center for Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgery has the only multi-disciplinary program in the Kankakee-Iroquois County area with a comprehensive approach to losing weight and a mission to help people take control of their weight, their health and their life.

Obesity is one of the leading health problems in the United States today and 1 in every 4 Americans is overweight. Over 12 million Americans are considered morbidly obese, which means they are 100 pounds or more overweight. Excessive weight is associated with serious health problems including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease and diabetes, including an increased risk of premature death.

Bariatric surgery promotes weight loss for patients having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight through two different methods. One surgical weight loss method is called a restrictive procedure that decreases the size of the stomach so a limited amount of food is eaten. The second method of losing weight surgically is called a malabsorptive procedure where fewer calories are absorbed. The weight loss program at the Riverside Center offers both surgical and non-surgical methods for people who are at least 100 pounds overweight or have a BMI of 40 or 35 with other weight-related health conditions.

Because weight loss is a comprehensive process, the weight loss transformation at Riverside is monitored by a team of experts including surgeons, psychologists and nutritionists. Superior emotional and psychological support before, during and after bariatric surgery helps to guide patients through the weight loss process for optimum success.

To learn more about bariatrics and get the Riverside Informational Seminar schedule, visit their website at http://www.riversidemc.net/bariatrics.html.

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