Southcoast Center for Weight Loss will offer free informational sessions on the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, during the month of April.

A free informational sessions will be held at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, located at 43 High St., on April 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Millions of Americans fall into the category of clinically severe obesity — more than 100 pounds overweight with a body mass index greater than 40. Body mass index is a calculation of weight in relation to height.

Weight loss surgery has been endorsed by a consensus panel convened by the National Institutes of Health as the only effective means of inducing significant long-term weight loss for the vast majority of patients with morbid obesity.

The Southcoast Center for Weight Loss’s community-based program is designed to incorporate a thorough approach to weight loss surgery utilizing a team comprised of dietitians, psychologists, nurses and surgeons to provide a safe and comprehensive surgical weight loss program.

For more information or to register for a free seminar call 508-273-4900. For more information on the Southcoast Center for Weight Loss visit www.southcoast.org/weightloss/.