Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is the only option today that effectively treats morbid obesity in people for whom more conservative measures such as diet, exercise and medication have failed. Bariatric surgery also makes an important contribution to resolving comorbidities and improving quality of life. It has been shown that after successful bariatric surgery, patients derive benefits such as reduced blood glucose and blood pressure, reduced or eliminated sleep apnea, reduced heart workload and reduced cholesterol levels.

There are several approaches to bariatric surgery, but all procedures are either malabsorptive, restrictive or a combination of the two.

Malabsorptive procedures change the way the digestive system works. Food is redirected without passing through a large portion of the stomach and small intestine that absorbs some calories and nutrients. These procedures are known as “bypass” or gastric bypass procedures.

Restrictive procedures greatly reduce the size of the stomach so that it holds less food, but the rest of the digestive functions remain intact.