Background: Obesity is a growing public health concern worldwide, and Saudi Arabia faces rising rates of obesity-related conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Bariatric surgery is a recognized treatment for severe obesity, offering significant health benefits. This study evaluates the Saudi population’s awareness and attitudes towards bariatric surgery, examining knowledge levels, perceptions, and potential barriers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Riyadh using convenience and snowball sampling. The survey included demographic data, awareness of obesity and bariatric surgery, attitudes towards the procedure, perceived barriers, and willingness to consider surgery. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Among 313 participants (mean BMI 26.98 kg/m²), 41.9% identified obesity as a disease, and 48.9% recognized the effectiveness of bariatric surgery for severe obesity. Knowledge scores averaged 4.08 (out of 5) for obesity and 3.28 (out of 6) for bariatric surgery. Significant associations were found between bariatric surgery knowledge and gender (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.004), income (p = 0.025), and educational level (p = 0.001). While 71.2% would not consider surgery, misconceptions about risks, stigma, and cost remain common barriers. Conclusions: Although awareness of bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia is moderate, misconceptions about safety and financial constraints persist. Public education campaigns are necessary to dispel myths, improve understanding, and promote bariatric surgery as a viable treatment option for severe obesity. Expanding insurance coverage and financial support may also enhance accessibility and adoption of this life-saving intervention.

The optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and assess the impact of surgical timing on patient outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 329 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at our institution. Demographic data, clinical presentations, surgical details, and outcomes were analyzed. The cohort was predominantly female (80.55%) with a mean age of 41.3 years. Most procedures (89.36%) were elective, with 43.47% of patients waiting over 4 months for surgery. Laparoscopic approach was successful in 98.78% of cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 5.47% of patients, with collection (2.43%) being the most common. Median surgery duration was 55 minutes. There was no significant association between waiting time and complication rates. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy demonstrates high success rates and low complication rates, even with extended waiting times. While timely intervention is ideal, our findings suggest that in resource-constrained settings, some delay in elective cholecystectomy may be acceptable for many patients without significantly increasing risks. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore patient-reported outcomes.