An acquaintance recently told me that she was trying to gain weight so that she could have gastric bypass surgery. I was shocked and very concerned about her casual view of a major surgical procedure. Gastric bypass is not a silver bullet for weight loss. It requires a major diet overhaul, a lifetime of vitamin supplementation, regular doctor’s visits. It is not a guarantee for weight maintenance.

The number of people who have had gastric bypass surgery has spiked in the last few years. I...