Weight Loss Surgery

Summary

Weight loss surgery helps people with extreme obesity to lose weight. It may be an option if you cannot lose weight through diet and exercise or have serious health problems caused by obesity.

There are different types of weight loss surgery. They often limit the amount of food you can take in. Some types of surgery also affect how you digest food and absorb nutrients. All types have risks and complications, such as infections, hernias, and blood clots.

Many people who have the surgery lose weight quickly, but regain some weight later on. If you follow diet and exercise recommendations, you can keep most of the weight off. You will also need medical follow-up for the rest of your life.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Find an Expert

• ABSMS Directory Search American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
• Find an Obesity Medicine Clinician Obesity Medicine Association
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• After weight-loss surgery – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia
• Before weight-loss surgery – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia

Related Issues

• Bariatric Surgery Endocrine Society
• Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Dieting and Gallstones National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Dumping Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Specifics

• Bariatric Surgery FAQs American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
• Bariatric Surgery Procedures American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Health Check Tools

• Calculate Your Body Mass Index National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Bariatric Surgery National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gastric Bypass National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Diet after gastric banding Medical Encyclopedia
• Gastric bypass surgery Medical Encyclopedia
• Gastric bypass surgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Laparoscopic gastric banding Medical Encyclopedia
• Laparoscopic gastric banding – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Vertical sleeve gastrectomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Your diet after gastric bypass surgery Medical Encyclopedia

Statistics and Research

• Estimate of Bariatric Surgery Numbers, 2011-2015 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Living With

• Gastric Bypass Diet: What to Eat after the Surgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Start Here

• Gastric Bypass Surgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Gastric Bypass Surgery: Who Is It For? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Teenagers

• Gastric Sleeve Surgery Nemours Foundation
• Weight Loss Surgery Nemours Foundation
• Weight Loss Surgery: An Option for Teens? American Academy of Pediatrics

Journal Articles

• Weight Loss Surgery