What makes a bariatric surgeon? As of yet, the bariatric surgical community has no definite answer. There is no organization that credentials bariatric surgeons, so in theory, any general surgeon can perform bariatric surgery (see "A Voluntary Accreditation Program for Bariatric Surgeons"). But these procedures require specific surgical skills and training, an understanding of the disease of obesity and a willingness to follow patients for the long term. Before you grant bariatric surgery privileges to surgeons in your facility, here's what you need to know.