Bariatric Surgery for Morbid Obesity

A 44-year-old morbidly obese woman inquires about bariatric surgery, a treatment option for patients with a body-mass index of 40 or more (or of 35 or more when there are coexisting medical conditions). Bariatric surgery has been shown to result in substantial weight loss and resolution of associated conditions. A successful clinical outcome requires an experienced multidisciplinary management team and an informed patient who will follow a plan of long-term management and self-care.