4 common types of weight loss surgery

If you’ve done your best to exercise regularly and stick to a healthy diet but still have a substantial amount of weight to lose, weight loss surgery may be for you. Bariatric surgery is a catchall term for procedures that limit stomach size and/or food absorption. You could be a candidate if you:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater, or if you’re of Asian descent and have a BMI of 27.5 or greater
• Have a BMI between 30 and 34.9 and have metabolic disease, such as type 2 diabetes

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications (GLP-1s) have rapidly become widely used for weight loss. People taking them may drop up to 20 percent of their bodyweight and often see improvements in their health, for as long as they’re on the medication.

Bariatric surgery, meanwhile, remains one of the most effective long-term ways to lose a large amount of weight, keep it off, and prevent obesity-related health conditions from developing or returning. Many people lose 50 to 75 percent of excess bodyweight following surgery, and the results typically hold up over time.

Here’s what to know about the available options.