Bariatric medicine deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity. A bariatric medicine physician, or bariatrician, may treat patients with diet and nutrition, exercise, behavior modification or medication. The bariatrician may also coordinate patient care with a bariatric surgeon, who may perform surgery. Bariatric or gastric bypass surgery, also known as roux-en-Y gastric bypass, creates a small pouch of the stomach that bypasses part of the intestine. When the size of the stomach is reduced by surgery, it allows less food to be ingested, resulting in weight loss.

Obesity is damaging to one’s health: some of the negative effects of obesity are heart disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, hypertension, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis; and obesity has been known to shorten one’s lifespan.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Pennsylvania has 4 practicing bariatric doctor in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania was the second state admitted to the union in 1787, and has a rich historical background. The population of Pennsylvania is 12,429,616, and its capital is Harrisburg. Historical sites include Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House. Visit the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, the American Civil War Museum in Gettysburg, or tour the Indian Caverns in Spruce Creek.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Pennsylvania has a population of 12,429,616. Of this population, 2,754,906 are under the age of 18 and 1,887,277 are at or above the age of 65.