OBJECTIVES: Bariatric surgery is highly complex process indicated for treating morbid obesity. In the SUS the surgery provided is the laparotomical way. Objectives of the study were: Elaboration of a rapid review about the effectiveness and economical analysis of the bariatric surgery methods for the decision of incorporating the videolaparoscopy technique into SUS. Survey about the number of hospitalization and expenditures related to bariatric surgeries effectuated in Brazil in the period between 2008 and 2012. METHODS: Search, analysis and critical scientific literature usage based on Medline, Pesquisa Saúde and Rebrats (The Brazilian Network for Health Technology Assessment). A priority was attributed to Brazilian studies and studies financed by Department of Science and Technology (DECIT) of the Ministry of Health of Brazil. Data acquisition of expenditures related to bariatric surgery in the database of the IT Department of SUS (DATASUS). RESULTS: There have been no observable differences between laparotomical and laparoscopical methods in such terms as mortality and weight loss. But there have been significant differences in the quality of life of the patient and internalization time. The studies financed by DECIT show that the cost of the surgery varies according to the access route. The average expenditure for videolaparoscopy was US$12,448.00 compared to US$4,911.00 for the conventional surgery. Data of DATASUS indicates that the number of hospitalization for bariatric surgery paid by SUS was 16.785. In this period an increase of more than 68% was observed. The aggregate value of the expenditure in this field was US$44,116,330.031 for these years. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the number of bariatric surgery has increased significantly in the last years. Therefore it's necessary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis in the standpoint of the SUS. This analysis should consider the implications to the quality of live of patients when evaluating videolaparoscopy bariatric surgery way.