The Case for Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Class 1 Obesity

Purpose of Review: This mini-review reports the current research and arguments for extending the inclusion criteria to offer bariatric surgery in the treatment of class 1 obesity (body-mass index of 30–35 kg/m²) and obesity-related comorbidities. Recent Findings: Recent studies have described the benefit of bariatric surgery in the treatment and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities in patients with class 1 obesity, notably, type 2 diabetes. Summary: Bariatric surgery cremains the single most effective intervention to effectively reduce excess weight and ameliorate metabolic comorbidities. Patients with class 1 obesity have largely been excluded from bariatric surgery due to longstanding guidelines. As societal recommendations for bariatric surgery candidacy have recently broadened, this mini-review examines the most common currently offered bariatric procedures, guidelines and indications, procedure selection, outcomes of notable random control trials and observational studies, safety and cost considerations, as well as medical management and endobariatrics specifically in the context of treating patients with class 1 obesity.