Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that is released from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress. Cortisol, a steroid hormone, regulates the expression of genes through nuclear glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that have a role in obesity and metabolic-related conditions such as Cushing’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. There are currently no studies that have looked at how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to cortisol activity correlate with the success rate of bariatric surgery as measured by weight loss and the weight regain percentage. Our study looked at the effect of two different SNPs on the TCF7L2 gene which has been shown to alter the behavior of cortisol receptors. Another SNP of interest is the rs3753519 located on the HSD11B1 gene which has been shown to alter the behavior of cortisol. DNA from buccal swabs collected from patients at the Ellis Hospital Bariatric Care Center were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reactions to determine the genotypic frequency for these SNPs. From the SNPs tested, there was a significant difference between genotypes for the rs3753519 SNP when it came to the original weight, diastolic blood pressure, excess body weight, and percent excess body weight lost. Understanding the relationship between variations in genes associated with cortisol activity and obesity could one day lead to more efficient treatment options for individuals who suffer from obesity and cortisol-related issues.