what is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity [1]. The term bariatrics was created around 1965 [citation needed], from the Greek root baro ("weight," as in barometer) and suffix -iatrics ("a branch of medicine," as in pediatrics). Besides the pharmacotherapy of obesity, it is concerned with obesity surgery. Overweight and obesity are rising medical problems of pandemic proportions[2][3]. There are many detrimental health effects of obesity[4]: heart disease, diabetes, many types of cancer, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic musculoskeletal problems, etc. There is also a clear effect of obesity on mortality, though this is not so clear for overweight [5]. Surgical procedures There are a number of surgical options available to treat obesity, each with their advantages and pitfalls. In general, weight reduction can be accomplished, but one must consider operative risk (including mortality) and side effects. Usually, these procedures can be carried out safely[16]. Procedures can be grouped in three main categories (although this is somewhat artificial)[17]: • predominantly malabsorptive procedures: although also reducing stomach size, these operations are based mainly on malabsorption. o Biliopancreatic Diversion (Scopinaro procedure - rare) • predominantly restrictive procedures: this kind of surgery primarily reduces stomach size o Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (Mason procedure, stomach stapling) o Adjustable gastric band (or "Lap Band") o Sleeve gastrectomy • Mixed procedures: applying both techniques simultaneously o gastric bypass surgery, like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass o Sleeve gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch Source: http://www.answers.com/bariatric+surgery?initiator=IE7:SearchBox To know more in detail, if u feel like u can visit the source page.