Who are today's bariatric surgeons and which ones join the ASBS?

Continuing medical education opportunities afforded by specialty society membership allow surgeons to remain abreast of the most recent advances in bariatric surgery technique and effectively address the complex health and psychosocial issues associated with morbid obesity. However, we found that only about half of all surgeons performing bariatric procedures in the United States are ASBS members. Standardization in the form of mandatory involvement in education and training activities or even specialty board certification in bariatric surgery might be necessary to ensure bariatric surgery skills and qualifications across the United States.