Obesity by the numbers

• 134 million American adults are overweight or obese.

• 205,000 Americans had weight-loss surgery in 2007.

• Average weight-loss a year after bariatric surgery: 61 percent

• Average cost of surgery: $17,000 to $25,000, but can go higher.

For information about the EnteroMedics weight-loss study, known as the Empower trial, go to www.empowerstudy.com or call 1-866-978-2562.