ABSTRACT
Over the past 30 years, there has been a virtual explosion in the epidemic of obesity here in the United States. There are several causes for this dramatic increase of obesity: labor-saving devices, the decrease in physical activity, the increase in sedentary occupations and lifestyles, and the ready availability of high caloric food. This is problematic because obesity is associated with an increase in chronic debilitative diseases like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, amongst others. The increase in these diseases is driving up healthcare costs dramatically. This chapter will review the history of bariatric surgery, indications for bariatric surgery, surgical procedures currently available, identication and management of postoperative complications, and the short-and long-term outcomes for the various operations discussed.
