Surgical Management of Obesity

Over the years, obesity has become a global pandemic. The medical comorbidities associated with obesity have resulted in immense medical costs in the healthcare system Bariatric surgery is currently considered the most effective treatment for individuals with morbid obesity who have failed medical weight loss therapies. Bariatric surgery has been proven to be effective and safe, yielding improvements in quality of life (QOL) and life expectancy. Furthermore, bariatric surgery has been shown to significantly improve obesity-associated comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), sleep apnea, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia among many other metabolic improvements. There is also increasing evidence of the impact of bariatric surgery on neurohormonal signaling that control hunger and satiety, but more research is needed to better understand these mechanisms. The majority of bariatric surgeries are performed laparoscopically, resulting in less pain, faster recovery, and reduced morbidity and mortality. Despite the increasing prevalence of bariatric surgery, only 1% of eligible individuals with severe obesity opt for this treatment modality. Barriers to therapy include inadequate patient and provider education, patient preference, financial and insurance obstacles, and access.