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About Obesity

Morbid obesity can be defined as severely overweight, greater than 80-100 pounds above "ideal body weight." Scientists use another measure called Body Mass Index or BMI to define obesity. BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI is 24 at ideal weight, but over 35 in the morbidly obese.

Prevalence estimates from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicate that 5.9 %  of U.S. adults 20 years and older are extremely obese with a BMI greater than or equal to 40, and 14.9% with a BMI greater than or equal to 35. Consequently, approximately 40 million Americans suffer from severe obesity.

For more information about obesity, visit the following pages:

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At Pacific Laparoscopy, we have helped thousands of patients conquer obesity at our San Francisco/Oakland weight loss surgery practice. San Francisco and Bay Area residents as well as people from around the world seek the skills and experience of Dr. John Rabkin for their obesity surgery in the Bay Area, such as bariatric or duodenal switch surgery.


If you would like to learn more about obesity surgery in San Francisco, click here to request a consultation with Dr. Rabkin at Pacific Laparoscopy. Or you can call our office at 415-668-3200 to schedule your appointment.

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