A brief history of the surgery for obesity to the present, with an overview of nutritional implications.

Massive obesity results in serious diseases, which are a major public health problem. Surgery is frequently the only means to achieve and sustain significant weight loss. This historical overview is aimed at providing knowledge and appreciation of this surgery to scientists in other complex areas of nutrition. The development of these operations is provided, including their potential nutritional sequelae. Because type 2 diabetes frequently improves or resolves postoperatively, related operations are being investigated in patients with lower weights.