Obesity

FACTS:

Obesity and its related ailments--hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and stroke--are the leading killers of African-Americans today. Blacks who are obese are at least twice as likely to die prematurely, compared to those of normal weight. And now our kids are at risk.

Experts contend that Black women in particular tend to be heavier than White women and have less success in shedding excess pounds. Black men who are overweight die earlier than White men. It comes from our food. It comes from our habits. It comes from our families. It comes from our culture.

Fact is, many try, most fail. Ninety-five percent of those morbidly obese who lose 50 or more pounds through diet and exercise--Atkins, cardio, etc.--gain it all back within years, studies show. And 1 in 3 gain back another 20 percent or more after that.

That's why a growing number of Blacks have turned to gastric bypass surgery--also known as bariatric surgery--to help turn themselves around. While new techniques and experienced doctors have made the risky procedure safer, it is still a drastic solution to what many see as a lifelong problem.

Patients who were denied bariatric surgery for insurance reasons developed a slew of new obesity-related diseases and conditions within three years of follow-up, according to a new study presented here at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

Is greed--with a big dose of discrimination that "fat people don't deserve help."

"Health insurance is the only industry I know of where they consider doing what they are in business to do a loss," says Hutcher.

This is a public service announcement for those of you that have Aetna insurance. When I started this process, I looked for a specific post like this and couldn’t find one. I hope this is helpful to someone.

I have been approved from Aetna for the lap-band® by completing the 3-month multidisciplinary program. This is what I...