Weight loss surgery is getting popular quickly nowadays thanks to the new and improved surgical procedure and better patient compliance. Weight loss surgery is usually reserved for the people having morbid obesity but it can also be used in other people wanting quick reduction in weight. When we talk of treatment of morbid obesity we are left with limited number of options. There are very few weapons in our hand to try with, weight loss surgery is one of them. Morbid obesity is graded as obesity level above 40 BMI scores. With the highly prevailing obesity the level of morbid obesity is also roaring. Even some medical research rates it as third largest disease of the world. The pharmacotherapy (drugs) for treatment of obesity has been talked in detail in weight loss drug category of our website. Now we consider the option of weight loss surgery for the treatment of obesity.

The term Bariatric means the branch of medicine pertaining to obesity and its treatment options. This term was created in mid 60s in last century since then it is in use for obesity and its treatment options. Weight loss Bariatric surgery hence can be defined as the surgery done to treat obesity. Obesity is initially treated as a combination therapy technique starting with diet, exercise and behavior therapy and finally switching over to anti-obesity medication. Surgery comes as last option in the treatment modalities in the case of obesity. In extreme cases we have to omit normal steps and weight loss surgery becomes first option.

Two types of approaches are under practice in the case of Bariatric surgery which include the following.

• Malabsorption

  Malabsorption means that there should be such surgical procedure that as a result of this procedure there should be decreased absorption of food from the bowl which will lead to decreased fat assimilation resulting in the weight loss.

• Restriction

  Restrictive approach results also in decreased fat absorption but it take another path as it decreases food intake after surgery.

Bariatric surgery has its own advantages and pitfalls. It is a immediate relief procedure but does require proper diet and exercise after it has been done. There can be a lot of complications even during and after the surgery. These can range from mild complications to severe ones and even death. So decision of weight loss surgery should be based upon the advice of physician after evaluating the pros and cons of the surgery for a particular person.