Germany records sharp increase in obesity surgery

Morbid obesity is being treated surgically much more frequently in Germany than it was a few years ago. While the number of such procedures nationwide was still around 5,000 in 2010, by 2023 it had risen to around 26,300, more than five times as many, according to figures released by the Barmer health insurance company in Berlin on Monday.

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This is according to the 2025 Hospital Report, for which data from the health insurance company is extrapolated to the total population. In around 15,900 obesity surgeries, and thus in most patients, the sleeve gastrectomy method was used in 2023. This involves greatly reducing the size of the stomach, while food continues to take its natural path through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

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The second most common procedure was gastric bypass surgery, which was performed in around 10,200 operations. In addition to reducing the size of the stomach, this procedure also reroutes the passage of food between the stomach and the small intestine. Gastric banding was hardly used at all in 2023, with only around 200 implants performed. A gastric band narrows the diameter of the stomach.

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So-called bariatric procedures led to significant weight loss and “thus have the potential to reduce obesity and its secondary and concomitant diseases,” explained Barmer CEO Christoph Straub. However, success depends crucially on patients adapting their lifestyle in the long term. According to the hospital report, three-quarters of those who undergo surgery have to return to the hospital after their procedure. This happens an average of six times, with an average stay of nine days. The most common reason for repeat surgery is the removal of excess skin.

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In addition, complications after surgery, as well as psychological problems, inflammation of the gallbladder, or osteoarthritis in the knee joints are common reasons for repeat inpatient treatment. The treatments are not always a direct result of obesity surgery. This applies, for example, to the insertion of artificial joints, which in some cases is only possible as a result of weight loss.

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