The increasing prevalence of morbid obesity has led the World Health Organization to coin the descriptive term “globesity” to reflect the worldwide nature of the problem. Providing health care to these patients, especially when surgery is required, can be extremely challenging owing to the specific needs in respect of logistics, facilities, and professional expertise. Appropriate care has too often been unachievable and unaffordable outside of established bariatric centers, but such centers themselves usually have insufficient capacity and resources to cope with growing demand.

This book aims to provide guidance and helpful tips and tricks on how to deal with obese patients within a general surgery setting. Epidemiology, organizational and logistical aspects, nursing issues, patient assessment, anesthesiology, and surgical practicalities are expertly covered in the opening chapters. Techniques of relevance to the general surgeon are described according to anatomic region, covering the head and neck; cardiothoracic and vascular system; upper and lower GI tract; pancreas, liver and adrenal glands; urinary tract and kidneys; the reproductive system; and the abdominal wall. Results achieved by bariatric surgery worldwide are reviewed, and the book closes with a chapter devoted to plastic and reconstructive surgery. The Globesity Challenge to General Surgery highlights a need for global rethinking on public health as regards resource allocation and patterns and standards of care, improving outcomes through greater affordability.