Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery is the general term for surgical procedures designed to help you lose weight. These procedures are tools — not cures — to help you treat weight-related health problems. They should be combined with our medical weight loss programs that focus on diet and exercise.

Our comprehensive programs include nutritional counseling, exercise plans and a follow-up care so you are positioned for successful weight loss after surgery. But it's important to realize this transformative journey requires a lifetime of work and commitment from you.

You may qualify for one of our bariatric surgery programs if you:

• Are 18 years old or older
• Have a BMI greater than 40 (known as "morbid obesity")
• Have a BMI greater than 35 and have one or more serious health conditions related to morbid obesity
• Are unable to achieve a healthy body weight for a sustained period of time, even with medical weight loss programs

Even if the criteria above are met, not everyone is a candidate for weight loss surgery. To make an informed decision, it's important to educate yourself about the types, benefits and potential complications of the various bariatric surgery methods.

Talking with your doctor, and even with other weight loss surgery patients, can help you better understand the benefits and risks for your individual situation.

Most gastric procedures are malabsorptive, meaning they restrict both the food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients your body absorbs. Typically, this is accomplished by reducing your stomach's holding capacity. When eating, this pouch fills quickly, and because you feel full sooner, you eat less.

We offer several common types of bariatric surgeries and nonsurgical weight loss procedures, including:

Adjustable gastric band

Gastric banding is a restrictive operation in which a band is placed around the outside of the upper stomach. By tightening or loosening the band, the rate that food travels from the upper to the lower stomach is controlled, and you are satisfied by smaller meals that fill the small upper pouch.

The adjustable gastric band is surgically implanted during a short, laparoscopic procedure. A port is placed under your skin, which allows saline to be added or removed to adjust the band after surgery. These fast and easy band adjustments take place at your surgeon’s office, clinic or hospital. Your first adjustment will probably be scheduled four to six weeks after your surgery.

Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common and successful type of malabsorptive surgery. First, a small stomach pouch is created to restrict the food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach and parts of the small intestine.

This bypass is both non-reversible and non-adjustable.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy

The vertical sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve, is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery in which approximately 85 percent of the stomach is removed. This leaves a cylindrical or sleeve-shaped stomach, which is approximately the size of a banana. The gastric sleeve procedure does not involve any bypass of the intestinal tract and can be performed laparoscopically.

With this surgery, the stomach is drastically reduced in size but its function is preserved. This means the gastric sleeve results in fewer restrictions on the foods you can consume after surgery.

If you have a relatively low BMI, the vertical sleeve gastrectomy may be a good choice. This is especially true if you also have existing conditions, such as anemia or Crohn’s disease, which prevent you from having other forms of bariatric surgery.

Intragastric balloon

The intragastric balloon procedure includes a weight loss device, a "balloon," that occupies space in the stomach. Once in place, the balloon is filled with salt water (saline) so it expands into a spherical shape. The balloon can be filled with different amounts of saline to best match your body structure.

The balloon system is temporary and will be removed after six months. Removal of the intragastric balloon takes around 20 to 30 minutes, similar to when it was inserted.

While the balloon is in place, you will meet regularly with our team to monitor your progress and receive education. This includes training about the nutrition and lifestyle changes you must follow to achieve long-term success. Your regular meetings with the support team will continue for six months after the intragastric balloon is removed.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a minimally invasive weight-loss procedure in which a suturing device is inserted into your throat and down to your stomach. The endoscopist then places sutures in your stomach to make it smaller. This procedure may be an option if you're significantly overweight — a body mass index of 30 or more — and diet and exercise haven't worked for you.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty leads to significant weight loss. It helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat. And the procedure is minimally invasive, reducing the risk of operative complications and allowing a quick return to daily activities.

If performed using a robot-assisted or minimally invasive approach, you can benefit from a faster recovery and less scarring.