Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery in Los Angeles
An overview of surgery that changes the stomach or digestive tract to help people with obesity lose weight and improve related health problems.
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What it is
Bariatric surgery is a group of operations, most often the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, that reduce how much the stomach can hold and, in some cases, change how food is absorbed. It is one tool alongside nutrition, activity and medical follow-up, not a quick fix.
Who may qualify
Current professional guidelines (ASMBS/IFSO, 2022) say surgery should be considered for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, and may be considered at a BMI of 30 to 34.9 when there is related metabolic disease. Many insurance plans still apply their own, sometimes stricter, criteria. Only a surgeon and your care team can tell you whether you may be a candidate.
What recovery can look like
Most people stay in the hospital for a short time, return to desk work within a few weeks and follow a staged diet that moves from liquids to solid food. Lifelong vitamin supplements and regular follow-up visits are part of care after most operations.
Risks to understand
Every operation carries risks, including bleeding, infection, blood clots, leaks at staple or suture lines, narrowing, nutritional deficiencies and the need for further surgery. Results vary from person to person and nothing is guaranteed.
Insurance and questions to ask
Ask your insurer whether bariatric surgery is a covered benefit, whether it needs prior authorization, how many months of supervised diet or counseling it requires, and which hospitals and surgeons are in network.
Informational website. It is not a medical practice, does not name or imply any particular doctor, and does not give medical advice. Using it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Content is general education only; talk to a licensed physician about your own care. Last reviewed: November 2026.