Watch a repeat of a sitcom from the 1970s and you are likely to cringe at the political incorrectness, particularly in relation to sex and ethnicity. In 2010, few people would feel comfortable watching many of the programmes of this era due to the overt levels of racism.
With the majority of the population now realising that racism and sexism is not acceptable, it does appear there is one last ism left and that is against the overweight and obese.
You only have to watch a show such a TV soap or a comedian on stage to know that making jokes at the expense of the obese is a sure fire way to get a laugh.
However for many obese people, their weight is far from a laughing matter and they can experience a raft of health problems including diabetes and high blood pressure.
For the obese, losing weight is not as simple as stopping eating and doing more exercise. Many people are past this point and need something that will in essence hit the reset button.
Bariatric surgery, or as it is more commonly known, weight loss surgery is a viable and successful option for losing weight. The two most common forms of bariatric surgery are the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and the Gastric Band. Both produce good rates of weight loss and whether a patient opts for a gastric bypass or gastric band depends on their eating habits and other health issues.
The majority of the British public misunderstand bariatric surgery in the same way they do obesity. For many obese people and bariatric patients this can make them feel even more isolated.
To allow bariatric patients and those considering bariatric surgery to feel informed and not excluded, the internet offers many forums and information sites. Streamline Surgical provide a web forum for their bariatric surgery patients which allows past and present patients to share their thoughts and feelings with each other and talk in an arena that is free of discrimination.
