Surgical treatment of obesity
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Key message
- Obesity and related diseases is a public health challenge.
- Bariatric surgery involves surgical alteration of healthy organs (gastrointestinal tract).
- Bariatric surgery has effect on weight loss and on some related diseases. On average, weight loss is about 30% after 5 years. However, there are a number of side effects, both in the short- and long term. We know little about the extent of the adverse effects. After surgery, patients need lifelong monitoring in health care, and a large proportion will need additional surgery.
- Bariatric surgery has been available at public hospitals in Norway since 2005. The number of operations has increased sharply in recent years. This is in line with the goals of the Ministry of Health and Care Services. Also several private hospitals offer bariatric surgery. In 2012, almost 3,000 people had bariatric surgery in Norway.