Foreword

Article Outline

• Copyright

Obesity represents a major and growing public health problem both in the United States and internationally. Recent advances in surgical management and the demonstration that weight reduction surgery has multiple other health benefits have resulted in a virtual explosion in the number of these procedures being performed. The complex nature of both the procedures and the pre- and postoperative management of these patients has mandated a sophisticated and evidence-based approach culminating in a national process for certification of bariatric centers of excellence. In this issue of Current Problems in Surgery, Drs. Robert Lim, George Blackburn, and Daniel Jones from the Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center in Boston have written a masterful monograph entitled, “Benchmarking Best Practices in Weight Loss Surgery.” They summarize the information necessary to deliver appropriate, evidence-based best practice care to these patients. Procedures, complications, and special situations are all summarized in considerable detail. This thorough review should become an essential resource for all physicians caring for these patients.