In Colombia, bariatric surgery is on the rise—more than 20,000 procedures are performed each year, making the country one of Latin America’s top destinations for this type of weight-loss intervention. But as demand soars, so does the debate.

Is bariatric surgery a vital tool in combating obesity and improving long-term health? Or has it become a booming cosmetic trend marketed as a quick fix for appearance over well-being?

Patients, doctors, and health experts are divided. While some see it as a life-saving measure for those with chronic obesity-related conditions, others warn of risks, unrealistic expectations, and a medical system increasingly driven by aesthetics and profit.

In this special report, Americas Now correspondent Michelle Begue examines the realities behind the country’s bariatric boom and what it means for patients navigating the line between health and beauty.