Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Obesity and Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures performed on obese patients. Long-term weight loss achieved through standard of care procedures is largely accomplished by modifying gut hormone levels responsible for hunger and satiety, resulting in a new hormonal weight set point. Infection, nutritional deficiencies, gallstones, and chronic nausea and vomiting are all common side effects of weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery is an effective way to improve many obesity-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol levels, and sleep apnea.