Weight-loss surgery for obesity may be considered if

BMI >40

You have extreme obesity, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

BMI 35 - 39.9

Your BMI is 35 to 39.9, and you also have a serious weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure

Lifestyle Changes

You’re committed to making the lifestyle changes that are necessary for surgery to work

Weight-loss surgery limits the amount of food you’re able to comfortably eat or decreases the absorption of food and calories, or both

Weight-loss surgery can often help you lose as much as 50 percent or more of your excess body weight. But weight-loss surgery isn’t a miracle obesity cure. It doesn’t guarantee that you’ll lose all of your excess weight or that you’ll keep it off long term. Weight-loss success after surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits.

Common weight-loss surgeries

Gastric Bypass surgery

This is the favored weight-loss surgery because it has shown relatively good long-term results. In gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach. The small intestine is then cut a short distance below the main stomach and connected to the new pouch. Food and liquid flow directly from the pouch into this part of the intestine, bypassing most of your stomach.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB)
Gastric Sleeve

 In this procedure, part of the stomach is removed, creating a smaller reservoir for food. There are ongoing studies evaluating this procedure.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

In this procedure, most of your stomach is surgically removed. This weight-loss surgery offers sustained weight loss, but it poses a greater risk of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, and you require close monitoring for health problems. It’s generally used for people who have a body mass index of 50 or more.