Bariatric Surgery

Overview

Mayo Clinic offers weight-reduction surgery for severely obese people who have significant health conditions related to their weight. Mayo surgeons perform more than 350 weight-reduction surgeries each year. The large volume of procedures (more than 2,000 since the program began) as well as the surgeons' combined experience makes possible better long-term success rates. Most patients who had weight-reduction surgery at Mayo Clinic have lost at least 50 percent of their excess body weight and 70 percent have maintained long-term weight loss.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota ranked No. 1 among U.S. hospitals in the specialty of digestive disorders in the 2007 U.S. News Best Hospitals ranking.

Mayo Clinic's treatment program includes an extensive evaluation and unique, thorough follow-up care. Read more about preparation and follow-up care.

Mayo Clinic performs serveral types of weight-reduction surgery. Learn about bariatric surgery procedures.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota

About Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is major surgery designed to lessen the severity of or to avoid weight-related health problems. Bariatric refers to the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity.

Gastric bypass is the most common bariatric surgery in the United States and at Mayo Clinic. Most surgeons prefer this procedure — which changes the anatomy of your digestive system to limit the amount of food you can eat and digest — because it's safer and has fewer complications than other weight-loss surgeries. It can provide long-term, consistent weight loss if accompanied with ongoing behavior changes.

Gastric bypass isn't for everyone with obesity, however. It's a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects and requires permanent changes in lifestyle.

Read more at
www.MayoClinic.com
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