Modern bariatric surgery is now safer than many routine procedures you might not think twice about—with mortality rates of just 0.1% (1 in 1,000 patients) and major complications occurring in only 4% of cases. Current safety data shows bariatric surgery carries lower risks than knee replacement surgery and comparable risks to gallbladder removal. Through advanced laparoscopic techniques, improved patient selection, and enhanced perioperative care, bariatric surgery has evolved from experimental to routine, representing one of the safest and most effective treatments in modern medicine.