Everyone knows losing weight—and keeping it off long-term—can be challenging, especially for obese individuals who need to lose significant amounts of weight. For many people, bariatric surgery can be a great option that doesn’t just help you lose weight but helps you maintain lifelong health and a better quality of life. “Bariatric surgery is becoming the gold standard for the treatment of people with morbid obesity and the medical problems related to it,” says Dr. Bryan Thomas, who specializes in bariatric and general surgery at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “The goal is for you to reach a healthy weight and then maintain that weight for the rest of your life.”