Someone asked: (As-salamu `alaykum. I’m overweight. I want to go for weight loss. Is it permissible in Islam to do that surgery?)
It is permissible to have weight loss surgery as long as a trustworthy doctor recommends it. So, you should consult such a doctor who is the best one to decide what to do in your case.
Bariatric surgeries are permissible if they are medically indicated. The trustworthy physician is the one who judges whether a particular surgery is medically indicated or not.
In principle, it would be permissible if the benefit of the surgery outweighs the possible harm.
The other principle is that non-invasive treatment should always take precedence over invasive ones and be given enough time to work.
The scholars understood the deferment of surgery/invasive procedures as a last resort from the following hadith:
Jabir said, “I heard the Prophet saying, ‘If there is anything good in your medicine, it is in the instrument of the cupper or drinking honey or cauterising with fire that suits the ailment, but I would not like to be cauterised.’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Keep in mind, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was talking about means of treatment most common and available to the Companions at their time.
The deferment of surgery until the failure of medical treatment is also an acceptable principle in modern medicine.
May Allah bring you the relief you are looking for.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Keep Quran Within Everyday Reach
A simple way to bring the Quran closer to everyday life. Keep a meaningful reminder within reach at home and make listening to the Quran part of your daily environment.
