This document provides information about bariatric/metabolic surgery and what patients should know. It discusses why weight loss is important for improving health and quality of life. The goals of surgery are lower body weight, improved quality of life, reduced morbidity, and cost effectiveness. Different types of operations are described, including gastric band, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy. Expected weight loss is 25-30% of excess weight long term. Surgery resolves many obesity-related health conditions and complications are rare. Close follow up is required after surgery. Surgery is now being considered as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions even in patients with mild obesity.