Bariatric Surgery as a Bridge Therapy

Metabolic bariatric surgery stands as a pivotal conduit to diverse therapeutic avenues, enabling access to various medical interventions. This chapter encapsulates the transformative role of metabolic bariatric surgery in facilitating pathways to therapeutic interventions such as joint arthroplasty, solid organ transplantation, neoplastic therapy and abdominal wall hernia repair. The efficacy of bariatric surgery as a bridge to these interventions is examined through existing literature and clinical outcomes. We elucidate how bariatric surgery paves the way for enhanced candidacy and improved postoperative outcomes in these interventions. This overview underscores the significance of metabolic bariatric surgery not only in managing obesity but also as a gateway to a spectrum of crucial interventions, thereby amplifying the spectrum of options available to patients with diverse healthcare needs.