Figures from the UK indicate that around 1 in 4 adults are obese (body mass index [BMI] above 30kg/m(2)) and 2% are morbidly obese (BMI above 40kg/m(2)).(1) Being obese is associated with morbidity (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus, certain cancers, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases) and premature death.(2-6) Weight loss can reduce such problems and improve quality of life, but options such as dietary, lifestyle and drug interventions are often ineffective.(7-17) Here we consider the place of surgery in the management of adults with obesity.