Bariatric surgery is a general term that is used for a variety of stomach and digestive system surgeries. These surgeries are usually carried out on obese people to help them to lose weight.

There are several forms of surgery including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, duodenal switch and gastric balloon surgery. A less common form bariatric surgery is biliopancreatic diversion, however, this form of surgery is rarely performed these days because of problems with malnourishment.

Is Bariatric Surgery for You?

In most countries, weight loss surgery is not available to patients with a BMI of less than 40. However, some private clinics will still perform these surgeries on people who are less obese where there are weight-related health issues.

In many cases, countries are now performing this operation even on relatively young people.  However, bariatric surgery is not something to be taken lightly. It is really only for those obese people who cannot lose weight and keep it off any other way. Unfortunately, more and more people are falling into this category. However, the good news is that bariatric surgery helps a large percentage of these people it is a very effective way of helping people to lose weight.