Preface

Obesity is a complex and chronic disease with an increasing prevalence [1]. Bariatric surgery produces successful results in cases where physical activity, diet, and other medical treatments have failed. All types of bariatric surgery have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The word bariatrics is formed by the combination of the Greek word "-bar," which expresses weight, and "-iatria," which expresses treatment [2]. According to historical records, the first bariatric surgery was performed in Spain in the 10th century. The king of Leon, Sacho, was operated on by Ibn Shaprut, the doctor of the time, to lose weight. His method was quite simple and interesting. Sharput pricked the king's lips and left only enough space to drink soup and other liquids with a straw, helping the king to lose weight. This is the first bariatric surgery recorded in history [3].

Metabolic surgery was first introduced by Dr. Arnold Kremen in 1954 who performed jejunoileal bypass on dogs [4]. In 1966, University of Iowa's Dr. Edward E. Mason noted that patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy for cancer lost significant weight. Dr. Mason suggested the first "bariatric surgery" and performed the first gastric bypass [5].

In 1976, Dr. Nicola Scopinaro developed biliopancreatic diversion [BPD], a maladaptive procedure to treat obesity [6]. Later, Dr. Picard Marceau reported duodenal switch as an alternative to BPD [7].

In the 1980s, Dr. Mason began to use vertical banded gastroplasty [VBG] [8]. In 1986, Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak developed a horizontal gastric band [9]. In 1992, Dr. Guy-Bernard Cadière placed a laparoscopic gastric band [10]. The number of surgeries performed with the laparoscopic technique has increased steadily since its inception.

Sleeve gastrectomy is another bariatric surgery technique that has become widespread in recent years. It was developed in the late 1990s by Dr. Michel Gagner who showed that sufficient weight can be lost with sleeve gastrectomy [11].

This book presents a history of bariatric surgery, examines current bariatric techniques, and discusses the exciting future of this procedure, including surgical robots, robotic coding, gene therapy, and more.

I wish to thank to my co-editors Dr. Nizamettin Kutluer and Dr. Serhat Doğan.
