What is Bariatric Surgery?

If you have obesity, bariatric surgery can help you get to and maintain a healthier weight and more active lifestyle. However, it is not a quick fix. Bariatric surgery is a part of your weight loss journey, the other part requires a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Meet Our Team Find a Location Register for an Online Information Session

At the Penn Bariatric and Weight Loss Surgery Program, we're committed not only to helping you achieve your weight loss goals, but also to improving your overall health. And the benefits of bariatric surgery are vast. It can improve your quality of life, reverse diabetes, eliminate sleep apnea, help control high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Under the leadership of Noel Williams, MD, FRCSI, director, our team of professionals — experts in their respective fields of nursing, nutrition, psychology and surgery — will guide you along your entire weight loss journey. The team works together to provide you with the highest quality of care, from the time of your free online information session and virtual support groups, to the day of your bariatric surgery and long-term follow-up care. Telemedicine new patient visits are also available.

Options and Types of Bariatric Surgery

Because every patient is unique, our program offers a full range of bariatric surgical options, ensuring that you receive the bariatric surgery that's right for you. All bariatric surgery procedures performed at Penn use a minimally invasive approach with either laparoscopy or robotic surgery. Both surgical approaches offer many benefits, including shorter recovery times and less post-operative pain. Learn more about each procedure we offer:

Non-Surgical Weight Loss

If you are interested in non-surgical treatment options for obesity, our metabolic medicine program provides comprehensive medical treatment of obesity and weight-related conditions.

Bariatric Surgery Appointments and Procedures

At the Penn Medicine Bariatric Surgery Program, our highest priority is making sure you get the care you need, when you need it, and in the safest way possible.

Online Information Sessions, Virtual New-Patient Visits and Nutrition Classes

We're offering an online version of our free bariatric surgery information session, as well as new-patient visits and nutrition classes via telemedicine to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Sign up to watch the information session and learn more about weight loss surgery at Penn Medicine.

MBSAQIP Accredited Center

We are accredited a MBSAQIP Accredited Center – Comprehensive at all three of these locations:

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Pennsylvania Hospital

Connect with us on Facebook

Connect with us on Facebook for health and fitness tips, recipes, motivation and conversations with others who have had or are interested in bariatric surgery at Penn Medicine.

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Procedures and Information

Information Sessions

Watch our online information session, where you can learn about Penn's Bariatric Surgery Program and see if it's right for you.

Support Groups

Whether you’re pre- or post-surgery, support groups are a good opportunity to share experiences and receive support from the Penn Bariatric community.

Awards and Accolades

Penn's Bariatric Surgery program has been recognized as a MBSAQIP Accredited Center – Comprehensive and more.

Who Is a Candidate

Bariatric surgery is an important step in your journey to good health. Learn if you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery at Penn.

Surgery Types

Read more about all of the bariatric surgery types and procedure options available at Penn Medicine.

Bariatric Endoscopic Procedures

We offer minimally-invasive weight-loss procedures for people with obesity who are not candidates for traditional bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery Process

Our bariatric surgery program offers complete care for people with morbid obesity before, during, and after weight-loss surgery.

Patient Stories

Read stories from our patients who have had bariatric surgery at Penn.

Meet the Team

Meet our team of experts in surgery, nursing and nutrition who are associated with the Bariatric and Weight Loss Surgery Program.

Adolescent Bariatric Program

A unique collaboration of staff at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

From Our Blog

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Blog

Learn about bariatric surgery and get the support you need to continue on your weight-loss journey. We offer workouts, recipes and tips from Bariatric Surgery program team members, and stories from patients like you.

Penn Bariatric and Weight Loss Surgery