Information about Bariatric Surgery

Surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help the patient with extreme obesity lose weight. These surgical procedures are performed specifically for the purpose of inducing appetite control, weight loss, and long-term dietary modification in the patient.

Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss method used for people who have a body mass index (BMI) above 40. Surgery may also be an option for people with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have health problems like heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

Etymology is Greek Baros = weight, iatros = physician.

Growing Incidence of Morbid Obesity (in the USA)

In 2002, 5.1% of US adults had a body mass index (BMI) higher than 40.1

The prevalence of individuals in the US with a BMI higher than 40 quadrupled from 1:200 in 1986 to 1:50 in 2000. At the same time, the prevalence of individuals with a BMI higher than 50 quintupled from 1:2000 to 1:400.

Links to our Bariatric Surgery Guide

From Surgery abroad with Globe Health Tours.