The article presents a global overview of bariatric surgery in 2013, based on data from the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO). A questionnaire was sent to all members of IFSO's bariatric societies, with 49 out of 54 (90.7%) responding. The total number of bariatric procedures performed worldwide in 2013 was 468,609, with 95.7% being laparoscopic. The USA/Canada region had the highest number of procedures (154,276). The most common procedures were Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (45%), sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (37%), and adjustable gastric banding (AGB) (10%). The prevalence of SG increased significantly from 0% to 37% of the world total, while the use of AGB decreased by 68% from its peak in 2008. The study concludes that SG is the most frequently performed procedure in the USA/Canada and Asia/Pacific regions, and second to RYGB in Europe and Latin/South America. The accuracy of the IFSO survey would be enhanced if each nation or group created a national registry.The article presents a global overview of bariatric surgery in 2013, based on data from the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO). A questionnaire was sent to all members of IFSO's bariatric societies, with 49 out of 54 (90.7%) responding. The total number of bariatric procedures performed worldwide in 2013 was 468,609, with 95.7% being laparoscopic. The USA/Canada region had the highest number of procedures (154,276). The most common procedures were Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (45%), sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (37%), and adjustable gastric banding (AGB) (10%). The prevalence of SG increased significantly from 0% to 37% of the world total, while the use of AGB decreased by 68% from its peak in 2008. The study concludes that SG is the most frequently performed procedure in the USA/Canada and Asia/Pacific regions, and second to RYGB in Europe and Latin/South America. The accuracy of the IFSO survey would be enhanced if each nation or group created a national registry.