Lexy Hovermann has undergone an amazing transformation – from "I was always tired" to “Zumba in the park.” And she accomplished this in less than a year. This dramatic change in well-being was powered by determination, a strong support system and the work of a skilled bariatric surgery team.

Weight management has historically been a difficult provider-patient conversation. But, having a discussion about a patient’s weight is not an attack on their character—it’s just another conversation about their overall risk profile.

Right now, almost 34 million Americans are living with diabetes, and 90% of those have type 2 diabetes. This is a growing epidemic, but health care providers can play a critical role by helping patients manage and reverse type 2 diabetes. While diet changes and medication are typically the first recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes, there’s a more significant treatment increasingly being recommended: bariatric surgery.