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. Wyoming has 1 practicing bariatric doctor in Cheyenne.

Wyoming is the United States’ least populated state with only 509,294 residents. Its capital is Cheyenne, and it became a state in 1890. Famous outdoor attractions are the Pony Express National Historic Trail, Grand Teton National Park, Devil’s Tower National Monument, and Yellowstone National Park. When in Cheyenne, visit the Wyoming Transportation Museum, Old Town Square, the Governor’s Mansion, or the Wyoming Arts Council Gallery. Wyoming has a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities such as alpine and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, bird and wildlife viewing, hiking and rafting.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Wyoming has a population of 509,294. Of this population, 111,821 are under the age of 18 and 61,743 are at or above the age of 65.