by Brandon Cornett

Most people researching weight loss surgery eventually run into the word “bariatric” and by extension “bariatric surgery.” But what is bariatric surgery, and what does it have to do with weight loss?

Simply stated, bariatric surgery and weight loss surgery both refer to the same thing — various types of surgery intended to help obese patients lose weight. So what is bariatric surgery? It’s weight loss surgery. The two phrases are synonyms! Now, isn’t that much easier to understand?

So now that we know what bariatric surgery is, let’s talk about the types of surgeries this umbrella definition covers. In her book The Patient’s Guide to Weight Loss Surgery, author April Hochstrasser defines bariatric surgery as “surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help people lose weight by altering the normal digestive process.”

Common Types of Bariatric Surgery:

Click on any of the links above to learn more about that particular type of bariatric surgery.

So Let’s Recap
What is bariatric surgery? It is the clinical term for weight loss surgery? What’s the point? To help obese patients lose weight by altering their digestive process. What are the most common types of bariatric surgery? Gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND).

So now, if you tell somebody you plan to have a bariatric procedure and they ask, “What is bariatric surgery?” … you’ll know exactly what to tell them!

Related article: The Cost of Weight Loss Surgery

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