Our Healthy Weight Management & Bariatric Surgery team typically performs two primary types of weight loss surgery: gastric bypass surgery and vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery. These two surgeries are the most common and have been proven over time to be the most effective. Making just four to five very small incisions, we perform all procedures laparoscopically. All of our bariatric surgeons are highly skilled and experienced in laparoscopic surgery.
Before proceeding with bariatric surgery, it’s important to understand the scope and limitations of each surgical procedure and set realistic expectations. Bariatric surgery may not completely cure a medical illness. Even after surgery, weight management efforts must continue for the rest of your life.
Our staff will review the benefits and risks of each surgical option and help you decide which is right for you. Before meeting with one of our surgeons, you must attend one of our free bariatric seminars either in person or online. Our in-person seminars are offered approximately twice a month at our Healthy Weight Management Center. Our online seminar can be completed at any time from the comfort of your home.
Types of Bariatric Procedures
Our Healthy Weight Management & Bariatric Surgery team performs two primary types of weight loss surgery: gastric bypass surgery and vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass weight-loss procedure limits food intake and calorie absorption, while allowing adequate nutrient intake. Gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of your small intestine where most calories and nutrients are absorbed from the foods you eat. Because the new stomach, called a pouch, is so small, you feel full sooner when eating. Due to the malabsorption aspect of the gastric bypass procedure, it is ideal for patients with conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure which reduces the size of your stomach by three or four ounces—roughly the size of a banana.This limits the amount of food you can eat to help you lose weight. In addition, the part of the stomach that produces a hormone called ghrelin that makes you feel hungry is removed. As a result, patients feel full for longer periods of time. Patients who choose the sleeve gastrectomy can expect to lose up to 60 percent of their excess body weight.
Other Procedures
You may have also heard about the below procedures, but our team does not perform these in most cases:
- Duodenal Switch
- Adjustable Banding