Rafael Blanco Engert Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Welcome from Rafael Blanco Engert MD and Agustin Dominguez Diez MD

Board Certified General Surgeons - Fellows and Members of the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity (IFSO)

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you personally to the International Obesity Institute with practices in Frankfurt Germany in the Heart of Europe and the Spanish Northcoast in Gijon , Lugo and Santander.

Morbid obesity is a chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time. An estimated 5-10 million Americans are considered morbidly obese. Obesity becomes "morbid" when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases (also known as co-morbidities) that can result either in significant physical disability or even death.

Weight loss surgery is major surgery. Its growing use to treat morbid obesity is the result of three factors: Our current knowledge of the significant health risks of morbid obesity; the relatively low risk and complications of the procedures versus not having surgery; and the ineffectiveness of current non-surgical approaches to produce sustained weight loss. This site will provide valuable information about the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery. However, the best way to get a full assessment of your condition is to schedule a consultation to determine if weight loss surgery may be an option for you.