The incidence of obesity has gained epidemie proportions worldwide and has a broad socio-economic impact. In order to mobilize front line physicians referred to is the underrating of obesity by the lay public and the frequent overlooking of the obesity disease even within the framework of preventivě medical care. Problems in the treatment of obesity come not only from insufficient information about the reál potentials of treating obesity and of its serious consequences, but also due to the frequent failure of conservative pro- cedures on a long-term basis. The multifactor etiology of the diseases with a significant genetic component leads to the necessity of an active approach to overweight already among front line physicians, as well as to long-term professional care of patients suffering higher degrees of obesity at Obesitological Centers. Dietological and psychological proceduies of conservative treatment in combination with pharmacological therapy and physical activity are ťocused on influencing the positive energy balance of the diseases and on the attaining of a change in their lifestyle. In light of the presented therapeutic problems there are pointed out the good results of minimally invasive surgical treatment of severe obesity. Laparoscopic bandaging of the stomach helps in long-term lowering of the intake of energy through a restrictive mechanism, and thus without any high risk helps significantly in combating obesity. Within the framework of surgical therapy of obesity there is pointed out the necessity of multidisciplinary collaboration and of the need to concentrate surgical therapy of obesity at specialized regional centers of bariatric surgery and obesitological centers

        Key words: obesity - obesitological centers - surgical therapy of obesity - laparoscopic bandaginge of the stomach.