Bariatric surgery in Barranquilla, Colombia

What is bariatric surgery?

It is a group of surgeries that modify the stomach or intestine to treat obesity and related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and fatty liver. It works not only by reducing how much you can eat but also by changing the hormones that control hunger and blood sugar.

Who is a candidate?

Generally, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, and in some cases from 30 when there is diabetes or other hard-to-control metabolic disease, who have not achieved lasting weight loss with other treatments. The final decision is made by a medical team after a full evaluation, including tests and psychological and nutritional assessment.

What types of surgery are there?

The most common are the gastric sleeve, which reduces the stomach to a narrow tube, and gastric bypass, which creates a small stomach and reroutes part of the intestine. One-anastomosis bypass and other techniques also exist. Almost all are done laparoscopically through small incisions. The intragastric balloon is not surgery but a temporary endoscopic procedure.

What are recovery and life afterward like?

The hospital stay is usually one to three days, followed by a staged diet from liquids to solids over several weeks. Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements, regular check-ups, physical activity and nutritional and psychological support are needed. The best results come when surgery is combined with lasting habit changes.

Which specialists are involved and how do you choose?

The bariatric surgeon leads the process together with an endocrinologist or internist, a dietitian, a psychologist and, when needed, a cardiologist and pulmonologist. Make sure the surgeon has training and experience in bariatric surgery, operates in a licensed clinic with an intensive care unit and offers a long-term follow-up program.

Find bariatric surgery specialists

On MedicosDoc you can find bariatric surgeons, endocrinologists, dietitians and psychologists who support the process. Compare profiles, view before-and-after photos and book your consultation.