A recent health data study published by a New York research firm estimates that a little more than one third of the adult population of the United States is obese, including 17 percent of youths and adolescents. The study was requested by public health officials in the Empire State, and the results will be used to for planning of future programs to control this health condition.

The fact that public health officials are concerned about the incidence of obesity in their communities is a sobering reminder that this is a medical condition that should be taken seriously. Obesity can be defined as a body mass index (BMI) reading that is abnormally high. BMI is a ratio that is estimated by a calculation between the age, height and weight of an individual; there are several BMI calculators online.

A BMI reading that is greater than 30 indicates that an individual has gone from the overweight stage to one of obesity. When BMI readings reach 40 and higher, the individual should seek immediate medical attention. The problem with obesity that turns severe on a clinical level is that it may be difficult to control through nutrition and exercise, and it may quickly develop into serious health issues such as heart disease, joint problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and others.

Bariatric surgery is often indicated in cases when physicians believe that patients are at high risk of not being able to improve their blood pressure or diabetic condition. Perhaps sleep apnea has set in to a dangerous level, or an additional illness has been diagnosed.

CostaRicaMedicalGuide.com, a website that caters to patients considering medical tourism in Costa Rica, explains bariatric procedures as follows:

Bariatric surgeries are operations on the stomach and/or intestines that help patients with extreme obesity to lose weight. These surgeries are options for people who cannot lose weight by other means or who suffer from serious health problems related to obesity.

For many people, these life-changing therapies are too expensive in the USA and Canada or they are not covered at all by insurance. Bariatric procedures, on average, cost from $20,000 to $25,000; medical insurance coverage varies by state and insurance provider. Thankfully though, there is another option.

Bariatric surgeries are available in Costa Rica, and when compared to equivalent procedures performed in North America, the savings can be up to 50% to 70% over prices in the USA and Canada. Even if you have insurance, you may find that Costa Rica offers more affordable options.

Not all bariatric surgeries are the same; in Costa Rica, a handful of different procedures are routinely performed on medical tourists. To learn more about weight loss options in Costa Rica, visit http://costaricamedicalguide.com/bariatric-weight-loss-surgeries/