Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, refers to any surgical procedure on the stomach or intestines to induce weight loss. Bariatric surgery is a term that encompasses a number of procedures including gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy), gastric bypass lap band surgery.
Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing remedy for long standing obesity, however it is not a magic cure. The procedures allow patients to change their lifestyle so they can maintain their weight loss. For the first six to 12 months after a procedure, it is vital that patients learn to eat the food that will help them maintain their weight loss, and adopt a pattern of exercise to further support the benefits of surgery.