Developing a successful bariatric surgery program

With nearly two-thirds of the American population deemed obese, there is a greater need to promote improved health, and bariatric surgeons are seeing a greater number of people inquiring and desiring bariatric surgery as a tool to achieve weight loss. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery may do so at dedicated medical centers with the adequate resources to provide such care. Establishing and setting up a bariatric surgery program is a major undertaking that requires a substantial amount of effort, planning, and commitment from the surgeons. It requires the multidisciplinary work by a team of medical staff and physician providers. We discuss in depth the tools needed to start and maintain a bariatric surgery practice. This includes bariatric surgery credentialing requirements, inpatient and outpatient infrastructure needs, personnel needs, education, long-term care, follow-up planning, and the costs of developing a bariatric practice.