Bariatric surgery helps people with obesity lose weight and keep it off. Typically, patients who have bariatric surgery have tried to lose weight with diet and exercise. Often, they have been successful in losing weight but then have gained most or all of it back. Patients who have bariatric surgery are often motivated by a desire to improve their overall health.
Bariatric surgery is offered to people with:
A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher
A BMI of 30 to 32.5 and an obesity-related health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea.