Obesity and the resulting medical problems have become an
             overwhelming American condition, and it seems to be getting worse every
             day. One Newsweek writer notes, "While searching endlessly for just the
             right diet, we're consuming ever more calories, growing ever more obese,
             and suffering obscene rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease as
             a result" (Cowly, 2003, p. 46). Many experts believe all it takes is a
             "little more willpower" for most Americans to triumph over obesity and ill
             health, but it takes more than a little willpower for most people to stick
             to a healthy diet. This is why I chose stomach stapling as an alternative
             to dieting, because for a majority of overweight Americans, including me,
             Americans love of good food is enhanced by the constant bombardment
             of food advertising on television, the radio, and even the Internet. Did
             you ever notice when you are on a diet, every ad seems to be extolling the
             virtues of fast food burgers and quick fix weekday dinners' As one writer
             noted, "Our love of certain foods often takes root during childhood, long
             before we know or care about their nutritional value" (Miller, 2003, p.
             70), and this love is often triggered by visual and/or mental stimulation
             from television ads, memories, and even aromas from the corner
             delicatessen. Our culture revolves around food, and if you can put it away
             and not pack on the pounds you are a hero, while if you cannot, you are
             lacking in willpower and self-control. That is simply not the case for
             some people, who carry their genetic makeup for the world to see, on their
             hips, thighs, and love handles. For some people, losing weight does not
             take a "little willpower," it takes a massive amount of effort and
             determination, and many fail, which is one reason there are so many obese
             people in the country, and diet gurus are still raking in thousands of
             ...