Obesity greatly contributes to the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, painful joint problems and even some cancers.

"Long-term weight loss is often very difficult for individuals who have struggled for years with being overweight or obese," said Eugene Rumsey, M.D., F.A.C.S., surgeon at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group (http://www.pbsmg.com). "The gold standard for significant weight loss is bariatric surgery, which provides a long-term solution for the majority of our patients."

Surgeons at Pacific Bariatric have performed more than 10,000 procedures on adult and adolescent patients at Scripps Mercy Hospital. As a result of our outstanding aftercare programs and support groups, patients at Pacific Bariatric see a success rate of slightly higher than the national average.

Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, Inc. and Scripps Mercy Hospital are nationally designated by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery as a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, also known as Hillcrest Surgical Medical Group, Inc., has an 80-year tradition of surgical excellence and leadership in San Diego County. For more information, visit http://www.pbsmg.com.

Established in 1890 by the Sisters of Mercy, Scripps Mercy Hospital serves the San Diego and Chula Vista communities. With 700 licensed beds, more than 3,000 employees and 1,300 physicians, Scripps Mercy Hospital is San Diego's longest established and only Catholic hospital. With two campuses, Scripps Mercy Hospital is the largest hospital in San Diego County and one of the 10 largest in California. For more information, visit www.scripps.org.