Bariatric Surgery on Short Term Weight Loss- Related Changes in Gait

This is a prospective, exploratory, short term study of the effects of bariatric surgery on
body composition, gait parameters during walking, lower extremity joint pain and quality of
life (QOL) in morbidly obese patients. All patients who enroll have already agreed to
undergo the bariatric procedure with their respective surgeon; the study team will simply
follow specific outcome measures in addition to their normal clinical care at two time
points after the surgery (week 4 and month 3).

Inclusion Criteria:

- no urgent need for bariatric procedure

- 21-65 years of age

- body mass index (BMI) 35 kg/m2 or greater, defined as morbid obesity

- waist circumference of < 66 inches

- able to walk independently

Exclusion Criteria:

- < 21 or > 65 years of age

- pregnancy; psychiatric conditions; binge eating patterns; Prader-Willi syndrome; drug
dependency; dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases that would preclude
appropriate cognitive or physical ability to perform study protocol

- uncontrolled diabetes (not using meds)

- waist circumference of > 66 inches

- orthopedic conditions that prevent ambulation (severe painful osteoarthritis of the
hip or knee)

- patient is wheelchair bound