Bariatric Surgery

Batriatricians are specialized physicians that provide treatments and management plans for patients suffering from obesity - in either a surgical or non-surgical manner.

About Bariatric Surgery

Bariatricians, or bariatric surgeons, provide care for patients who suffer who suffer from obesity. Their goal is to help patients either prevent the onset of obesity, or find solutions to reverse the patient’s obesity. The field of bariatrics utilizes a variety of treatments to deal with obesity, including: controlling the patient's diet and nutritional intake, exercise, behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

Surgical bariatric procedures are classified as being malabsorptive (reducing the absorption of calories/nutrients), restrictive (reducing oral intake), or a combination of the two. Some types of bariatric surgery include gastroplasty surgery, gastric bypass surgery and jejunoileal bypass surgery. Two of the more common treatments provided by bariatricians are gastric bypass surgery and the surgical implantation of a Gastric band.

Gastric bypass is a mixed surgery that decreases the size of the stomach through stomach staples or vertical banding of the stomach. At the same time, the duodenum and other parts of the small intestine are bypassed, decreasing the body’s capability to absorb nutrients and calories, ultimately contributing to weight loss. Gastric bands, also known as lap bands, are implanted on the stomach, with an intention of reducing stomach size, in turn slowing food consumption and limiting the amount of food intake.

Bariatric Surgery Education & Training

The training to become a bariatric physician (also referred to as a bariatrician or bariatric surgeon) begins with the completion of an undergraduate degree before completion of an MD or DO medical degree. Following graduation from medical school, the student must complete a residency program in internal medicine or general surgery.

Following completion of a residency program, the physician must apply for and complete fellowship training focused on laparascopic and bariatric surgery. Most clinical training related to bariatric medicine is undertaken during this fellowship program, where the doctor practices under experienced physicians in the field of bariatrics and related areas. Bariatric medical training is typically subdivided into three areas: health treatment, preventive methods, and surgical and related procedures.

States vary with regard to bariatric medicine licensure, as many licensing boards will require a certain number of successful procedures, surgeries, or treatments before a doctor can earn his/her license. If specializing in gastric bypass surgery, the physician will typically have to complete around 50 gastric bypass surgeries during residency or fellowship training. If specializing in gastric band (lap band) surgeries, the physician will have to perform approximately 10 successful surgeries during residency and/or fellowship training. Many bariatricians hold board-certifications in at least area of medicine, and may be certified by the