For severely obese patients, weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery may be an option when non-surgical treatments fail. With dietary changes and an active lifestyle, bariatric surgery helps patients lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight. There are three types of bariatric surgery procedures that may be recommended. Each uses different techniques to interrupt digestion or reduce the amount of food the patient eats.

Listen in as Dr. Christian Birkedal discusses bariatric surgery as a tool to help control obesity and what factors might qualify someone for this type of surgery.