Center for Bariatric Surgery

Endorsed by Leading Health Organizations

National Institute of Health

The first endorsement for bariatric surgery issued in 1991 by the National Institute of Health. A more recent publication noted:

Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery is an option for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems. The operation promotes weight loss and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by restricting food intake and, in some operations, interrupting the digestive process to prevent the absorption of some calories and nutrients. Recent studies suggest that bariatric surgery may even have a favorable impact on mortality (death) rates in severely obese patients. The best results are achieved when bariatric surgery is followed with healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity.

International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 

In 2011, IDF endorsed surgical intervention for weight loss stating "Bariatric surgery should be considered earlier in the treatment of eligible patients to help stem the serious complications that can result from diabetes."

"Bariatric surgery is a treatment that can be recommended for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity not achieving recommended treatment targets with existing medical therapies, especially when there are other major co-morbidities such as hypertension, high cholesterol or sleep apnea." - Professor Paul Zimmet AO, Co-chairperson IDF

American Heart Association

"It is becoming clear that the pathophysiology of obesity is more complex than simply overeating and not exercising. In studies of bariatric surgery patients, appetite control and satiety appear to be key mechanisms for weight loss in gastric banding and gastric bypass patients… When indicated, surgical intervention leads to significant improvements in decreasing excess weight and comorbidities that can be maintained over time. These include diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, liver disease, systemic hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular dysfunction. Recent prospective, nonrandomized, observational, or case-control population studies have also shown bariatric surgery to prolong survival in the severely obese.… Currently, bariatric surgery should be reserved for patients who have severe obesity in whom efforts at medical therapy have failed and an acceptable operative risk is present."

American Diabetes Association included surgical intervention for weight loss in Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes published in 2010

Obesity Society

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute included bariatric surgery in the 1998 clinical guidelines
Weight loss surgery provides medically significant sustained weight loss for more than 5 years in most patients. Although there are risks associated with surgery, it is not yet known whether these risks are greater in the long term than those of any other form of treatment. Surgery is an option for well-informed and motivated patients who have clinically severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40) or a BMI ≥ 35 and serious comorbid conditions.

Why I had surgery:

I had surgery because I wanted to feel better physically and reduce health issues related to obesity.  I also was tired of failing on so many diets and wanted a tool that I could count upon to help me lose the weight needed.

- Beth Ouitmet-Stipp