The use of bariatric or weight-loss surgery to treat certain people with morbid obesity has gained tremendously in both use and popularity over the past decade. Celebrities and other high-profile individuals who have undergone this type of surgery have helped to spread the word about the availability of these procedures.

However, it is most important to note that weight-loss surgery is not the solution for all patients who are overweight. The procedure is not simply about a desire to be thinner -- it is a commitment to changing your life, improving your health, and learning to incorporate a more active lifestyle into your every day life.

Many people who have had bariatric surgery say it is somewhat of a "rebirth" and they even celebrate the anniversary of their surgery date as their "birthday."

Follow the links in this section to learn more about what bariatric surgery is, how the procedures work, and what effects the surgery may have on your life should you be a candidate for this type of surgery.