The term ‘bariatric surgery’ is used to define a group of procedures that can be performed to
facilitate weight loss, although these procedures can also be performed for other conditions.
It includes stomach stapling, gastric bypasses, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric band
maintenance, performed on the stomach and/or intestines to limit the amount of food an
individual can consume. Such surgery is used in the treatment of obesity for people with a
BMI above 40, or for those with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have health problems such
as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.