Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery

Surgery Overview

Bariatric surgery is surgery to help people lose weight and improve health problems related to weight. It may also be called metabolic surgery. This type of surgery is used for people who have obesity. Weight-loss surgery may be an option for people who have not been able to lose weight or improve weight-related health problems with diet, exercise, and medicines.

There are different types of bariatric surgery. They make the stomach smaller. Some types of surgery also change the connection between your stomach and intestines.

After surgery, you'll need to make new, lifelong changes in how you eat and drink. You'll have the support of your health care team to make these changes. These changes will help you reach your goals and stay at a weight that is healthy for you.

What are the types of weight-loss surgery?

All types of weight loss surgery make changes to your digestive system. Some common types are:

• Gastric bypass.

  The doctor uses a small part of your stomach to create a smaller stomach. This is connected to the middle part of the small intestine. Food skips (bypasses) the rest of the stomach and part of the small intestine. This surgery is called a Roux-en-Y (say "roo-en-why") gastric bypass.

• Gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy).

  The doctor removes more than half of your stomach, leaving a thin vertical sleeve, or tube.