Bariatric surgery is a type of procedure that can be used to achieve significant weight loss in individuals who are very obese (morbidly obese). A thumb-sized stomach pouch is created (using a stapling or banding technique) then the outlet of the pouch is connected directly to the intestine, essentially bypassing the lower stomach. After the surgery, the amount of calories your body can intake is reduced which leads to weight loss.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are metabolism, nutrition, obesity, eating disorders, liposuction, lap band laparoscopic, and roux-en-y laparoscopic.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including weight management, lap band surgery, and surgical weight loss.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Illinois has 6 practicing bariatric / gastric bypass surgeons. Broken out by city, bariatric surgery doctor density in Chicago is 2, in Downers Grove is 1, in Kankakee is 1, in North Chicago is 1, and in Springfield is 1.

Most people think that Chicago, because of its size and popularity, is Illinois’ capital city, but that distinction belongs to Springfield, home of the Abraham Lincoln Museum. Illinois has hundreds of museums, numerous yearly art and ethnic festivals, a lakeshore bordering Lake Michigan, and the many national forests and parks that offers visitors camping, horseback riding, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Chicago is home to the Sears Tower, the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and other cultural opportunities and restaurants in the Navy Pier area.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Illinois has a population of 12,763,371. Of this population, 3,172,677 are under the age of 18 and 1,523,937 are at or above the age of 65.