For many people dealing with extreme obesity, surgery offers virtually the only effective long-term approach to weight control. It can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy, normal weight, even when other methods of weight loss have failed.

However, weight loss surgery is considered major surgery, and there can be unexpected outcomes with any type of surgical procedure. That is why you should only make the decision to have a procedure after careful consideration and consultation with an experienced bariatric (weight loss) surgeon and your family physician.

Furthermore, surgery does not guarantee a “cure” for obesity. It is merely a tool to help you achieve weight loss. Your success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes that are essential elements of the surgical weight loss program. Weight loss surgery only succeeds when the patient makes a lifelong commitment.