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Bariatric surgery helps people who are very overweight lose weight. It is done only after diet and exercise has not resulted in long-term weight loss. The surgery makes the stomach area smaller, so it fills up with less food. Sometimes surgery also changes digestion, so less food is absorbed.
After surgery, the person will not be able to eat very much at one time and will get full quickly. Stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea may occur if the person eats too much at one time or if the person eats foods that are high in fat or sugar. Getting good nutrition is important, because less food can be eaten and in some cases less nutrition is absorbed from that food.
Current as of: August 25, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Ali Tavakkoli FACS, FRCS, MD - General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery & JoLynn Montgomery PA - Family Medicine
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