What is done in bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight-loss surgery designed to help morbidly obese individuals who are unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. This type of surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach, making it much more difficult for the person to consume large quantities of food at one time. It also involves rerouting a portion of the small intestine, so that fewer calories are absorbed from what is eaten and digested. The goal of bariatric surgery is not only to reduce body weight, but also to improve health issues that can lead due to obesity such as diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, sleep apnea and joint pain among other medical disorders. In addition these surgeries may improve overall quality of life by providing both physical and psychological benefits such as improved mobility, better self-esteem and confidence levels among others.