Laparoscopy and Obesity Surgery Surgery for Morbid Obesity Morbid obesity significantly reduces life span and is associated with much co-morbid pathology. Diet, behavioral therapy and drug therapies have been largely unsuccessful.
Surgical treatment offers the best hope.
This summary will review the rationale for treatment, patient selection, and the current surgical options. A popular misconception exists that fat people are totally responsible for their own weight gain and should be able to lose the excess weight and maintain the new lower weight. Obesity is in a similar position to that of alcoholism 25 years ago, with a general perception that the problem is the result of a weak character. Consequently, there is much prejudice directed towards the obese. This attitude results from a failure to recognize both the complex causes of the condition and the poor outcome of dietary and medical management.