Bariatric surgery

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is an effective long–term treatment for weight reduction, improving obesity–related comorbidities, and decreasing mortality. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed consensus guidelines on appropriate candidates for bariatric surgery: Body mass index (BMI) >40 or BMI between 35 and 40 with a serious obesity–related health problems including hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obesity–hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and debilitating arthritis; acceptable operative risk; and ability to make necessary lifestyle changes and participate in long–term follow–up. There is increasing support and evidence that bariatric surgery should be an option for patients with BMI between 30 and 35 with comorbidities.