Surgical Management of Obesity: Surgical Procedures, Preoperative Evaluation, Patient Selection

Obesity is a multifactorial and chronic disease and is one of the most important epidemics today. Bariatric and metabolic surgeries are currently the most efficient therapy available for the treatment of morbid obesity. The impact of these therapies on the quality and length of life for these patients is remarkable. This chapter will review current bariatric surgical procedures including roux-en-y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The weight-loss and comorbidity outcomes of each procedure will be compared, and complications reviewed. The current criteria for patient selection and preoperative evaluation are also reviewed including preoperative eating habits, psychological, and physical evaluation.