What They Do
A bariatric surgeon is a physician who specializes in surgical procedures aimed at significant weight loss, generally for people who haven't achieved sufficient results through non-surgical approaches alone. Bariatric surgery works by altering the digestive system in ways that affect how much food can be eaten or how nutrients are absorbed.
What They Treat
Bariatric surgeons perform several different types of weight-loss procedures, each altering the digestive system in a somewhat different way, generally by reducing stomach size, changing how food moves through the digestive tract, or a combination of both approaches. Beyond weight loss itself, these procedures are also often used to help improve or resolve related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, which frequently improve following successful bariatric surgery.
Training Path
Becoming a bariatric surgeon requires completing a medical degree, followed by general surgical residency training, and then additional specialized fellowship training specifically in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. This additional training focuses on the specific surgical techniques used in weight-loss procedures, along with the broader medical management of patients before and after surgery.
When to See One
People are typically referred to a bariatric surgeon after other approaches to weight management haven't achieved sufficient results, particularly when excess weight is contributing to significant related health conditions. Candidates for bariatric surgery generally undergo a thorough medical evaluation beforehand, often involving a broader care team that may include a dietitian and other specialists alongside the surgeon.
Background
Bariatric surgery developed as a distinct surgical field over the second half of the 20th century, as surgeons developed and refined various techniques for altering the digestive system to achieve significant, sustained weight loss. The field has continued to evolve considerably, particularly with the development of minimally invasive, laparoscopic techniques that have made many bariatric procedures less invasive than the open surgical approaches used in earlier decades.