You must first have a broad understanding of bariatric medicine if you want to learn how to become a bariatric surgeon. Bariatric medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the treatment and prevention of obesity, and it frequently employs pharmaceuticals, therapy, and surgical procedures. You must first receive training in bariatric medicine before becoming a bariatric surgeon. Only practicing physicians are eligible for training to become a bariatric surgeon, as with other types of medical training programs.
During a hospital residency program, bariatric training is completed. Health treatment, preventative methods, and surgical procedures are usually divided into different concentrations during training. Although studying all three areas may be beneficial, if you want to become a bariatric surgeon, you’ll need to focus on surgical procedures such as gastric bypass and lap-band surgery. While both types of surgeries are possible, many bariatric surgeons prefer to focus on one or the other first.
You must then meet the credential requirements set forth by your country’s bariatric medicine licensing board after completing your hospital residency. To become a bariatric surgeon, you’ll need to complete at least 15 successful procedures, though the exact requirements vary by location. Pre- and postoperative management, as well as “hands-on” surgical experience under the supervision of an experienced bariatric surgeon, are all important components of a successful procedure.
Because of the medical risks associated with gastric bypass surgery, you’ll need to complete about 50 successful operations during your residency. If you only want to perform lap-band surgery, you’ll need to complete at least ten successful lap-band procedures. You must apply for open privileges to perform both gastric bypass and lap-band surgeries, which may require a minimum of 50 successful gastric bypass surgeries and ten successful lap-band surgeries.
You can practice bariatric medicine and perform bariatric surgeries after being certified by your country’s medical licensing board. Hospitals, healthcare centers, and weight loss clinics are the most common employers of bariatric surgeons. You should update your professional liability and malpractice insurance to include coverage for bariatric surgical procedures before applying for a position as a bariatric surgeon. After six months of practice, your employer will most likely conduct a performance evaluation and make any necessary recommendations for additional bariatric training. Throughout your career as a bariatric surgeon, you should have these evaluations done on a regular basis.