The Risks and Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published April 23, 2007 at 3:30 PM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Anthony Davis proves even all-star athletes are not immune to obesity. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2005, a few months before he underwent gastric bypass surgery for weight loss.

A whopping 30 percent of Americans are overweight, and another 30 percent are considered obese. Now a new study shows morbidly obese people -- those more than 100 pounds overweight -- are the fastest-growing group of overweight people. And it seems no one, even a sports star, is immune to the obesity epidemic.

Anthony Davis proves even all-star athletes are not immune to obesity. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2005, a few months before he underwent gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. We speak with Davis about his decision, and how it’s helped reverse weight-related conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea.

Dr. Alan Wittgrove of Scripps Memorial Hospital performed the laparoscopic gastric bypass. He joins us to discuss the increasing popularity of the surgery, the risks, outcome and prevention.

Become a KPBS sponsor

Guests

Alan Wittgrove , M.D., Wittgrove Bariatric Center.
Anthony Davis , College Football Hall of Fame.