bariatric

adjective

bar·​iat·​ric ˌber-ē-ˈa-trik 

ˌba-rē-

: relating to or specializing in the treatment of obesity : involving or practicing bariatrics

If all goes well, bariatric surgery leads to substantial weight loss, especially among the morbidly obese.

—Stephen J. Dubner et al.

a bariatric clinic

bariatric physicians

bariatric medicine

Examples of bariatric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though this is comparable to long-term results from bariatric surgery, McCoy says the rate of weight loss from retatrutide isn’t actually as fast as with surgery. —Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 29 May 2026

Retatrutide, one of Lilly’s experimental obesity drugs, yields weight loss approaching that of bariatric surgery, albeit with side effects and high rates of discontinuation, in a late-stage study. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

In a late-stage trial, Eli Lilly’s next-generation obesity drug led to levels of weight loss approaching what’s seen with bariatric surgery, the company reported yesterday. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 22 May 2026

Medical interventions like bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic can reduce food noise. —Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

bar- + -iatric, probably after earlier bariatrics

Note: See note at bariatrics.

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bariatric

• allopatric
• geriatric
• paediatric
• pediatric
• psychiatric
• neuropsychiatric

Medical Definition

bariatric

adjective

bar·​iat·​ric ˌbar-ē-ˈa-trik 

: relating to or specializing in the treatment of obesity : involving or practicing bariatrics

Bariatric surgery is the umbrella term for all weight-loss surgeries reserved for obese patients. Gastric bypass is a subset of these surgeries that first divides the stomach into a small and large pouch and then connects the small stomach pouch to the lower small intestine …

—Bijal P. Trivedi, Discover

bariatric physicians

bariatric medicine