A bariatric surgeon is a General Surgeon with a sub-major in resolving the integral problem of obesity.

We have to keep in mind that for a regular doctor to become a General Surgeon he or she has to accomplish at least 3 to 4 years of training in the major of General Surgery. With this said a general Surgeon it’s not a regular doctor that just finished medical school, a general surgeon is a specialist.

This training gives the surgeon the ability to operate. In most of the cases the preferred working field is gastroenterology (digestive system), but it also enables the surgeon to solve problems of the neck, thorax, vascular pathology, trauma, etc.

None the less, we should not think that a general surgeon is only able to operate. On the contrary, He or She participates actively in the diagnosis, evaluation and pre and post operation care of the patients. This specialist is the most complete of all.

Now for a General Surgeon to become a Bariatric Surgeon he or she has to complete a fellowship in all aspects of bariatric surgery, including patient education, support groups, operative techniques and post-operative follow-up with an IFSO or IFSO Affiliate Society-designated bariatric surgeon, or one who has performed at least 200 bariatric surgical procedures and has five or more years of experience in the field of bariatric surgery.