Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery changes the stomach, and sometimes the small intestine, to help people with severe obesity lose weight and keep it off. The most common procedures are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Beyond weight loss, it can improve or resolve obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically (keyhole) for most patients. Sleeve gastrectomy reduces the stomach to a narrow tube, limiting how much you can eat and affecting appetite-regulating hormones. Gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes part of the small intestine, both reducing intake and altering how calories are absorbed. The right procedure depends on your weight, health and goals.
Surgery is one part of a comprehensive program. Lasting results depend on combining the operation with changes to diet and activity, supported by dietitians, endocrinologists and psychologists before and after the procedure. This support is central to both preparing you for surgery and sustaining your results.
International patients receive a coordinator, a clear plan and a transparent cost estimate before travel, including the expected stay and follow-up. The team explains the lifelong vitamin supplementation and monitoring that bariatric surgery requires and how follow-up can continue after you return home.
Who is a candidate?
- Adults with severe obesity (generally a high body-mass index) where other approaches have not worked
- People with obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea
- Those committed to lasting changes in diet and activity and to long-term follow-up
- Patients who have tried supervised diet, exercise and medical management without enough success
- People fit enough for surgery, as confirmed by a full medical and psychological assessment
What happens
- 1
Assessment
A full medical, nutritional and psychological evaluation confirms you are a suitable candidate and helps choose between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.
- 2
Preparation
You follow a pre-operative diet and preparation plan, and the team explains the lasting dietary and lifestyle changes that make surgery successful.
- 3
The operation
Under general anesthesia, the surgeon performs the procedure laparoscopically through small incisions, reshaping the stomach and, for bypass, rerouting part of the intestine.
- 4
Early recovery
You progress through a staged diet from liquids to soft foods. Most patients are up and moving soon after surgery and return to most activities within a few weeks.
- 5
Long-term follow-up
Dietetic, endocrine and psychological support continues, with lifelong vitamin supplementation and monitoring. International patients receive a follow-up plan for after they return home.
Benefits
- Significant and sustained weight loss for most patients who follow the program
- Often improves or resolves type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea
- Performed by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, with smaller incisions and a quicker recovery
- Comprehensive dietetic, endocrine and psychological support before and after surgery
- Improved mobility, energy and quality of life as weight reduces
Risks & considerations
- Surgical risks including bleeding, infection, clots and, rarely, leaks from the staple line
- Nutritional deficiencies, which is why lifelong vitamin supplementation and monitoring are needed
- Dietary side effects such as 'dumping' after eating sugary foods (more common after bypass)
- The need for lasting changes to eating habits to maintain results
- Occasionally, weight regain or the need for revision surgery
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Obesity Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Bariatric Surgery — frequently asked questions
We offer the main bariatric procedures, including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, selected to fit each patient after a full medical, nutritional and psychological assessment.
Yes. Dietetic, endocrine and psychological support is part of the program, both to prepare you for surgery and to sustain your results afterwards, along with lifelong vitamin monitoring.
For many patients, weight-loss surgery improves or resolves type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Your team explains what to expect based on your individual health.
Yes. Because the surgery changes how you eat and absorb nutrients, lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation with regular blood-test monitoring is an important part of staying healthy.
Bariatric surgery usually means around two to four nights in hospital, plus a short recovery before flying — your coordinator confirms how long to plan for. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case rather than a fixed online price, since the right procedure and plan are individual.
Related treatments
Considering bariatric surgery?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.