Weight loss surgery

Not everyone who wants to lose weight is a candidate for bariatric surgery, and your candidacy depends on your body mass index (BMI). This calculation compares your weight with your height, and if you have a high BMI with an obesity-related health condition, bariatric surgery may be a good option to help you begin losing weight.

Health conditions associated with obesity include:

• Arthritis
• Heartburn
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Type 2 diabetes

You may qualify for weight loss surgery if you:

• Are 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight
• Cannot achieve and sustain a healthy body weight, even through medically supervised dieting
• Have a BMI of 35 or more and are experiencing adverse health effects related to obesity
• Have a BMI of 40 or more

If you are living with obesity, you may sometimes find it challenging to do daily tasks. In addition to physical issues, it may also prevent you from participating in certain activities, including those that can improve your health. Weight loss surgery improves and helps decrease your chances of many major and minor health conditions, including sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. This treatment makes good health and a longer life much more likely.

All surgeries and medical procedures carry risks. To understand the benefits and risks, it's important to discuss your unique situation with your doctor.

However, it is also essential to consider the risk of remaining obese. Severe obesity can cause life-threatening health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Some of these conditions develop over time, while others emerge quickly. You may have one or more of these conditions without even realizing it. We encourage you to speak with one of our bariatric specialists as soon as possible so we can help you find a healthier path forward.

We offer nonsurgical and surgical options for weight management, working with you to decide the best treatment based on your medical history, psychological evaluation and level of nutrition.

In our bariatric center, both adults and adolescents have access to:

• Body composition testing
• Free community classes
• Individual appointments and group visits to help you develop healthy weight-related behaviors
• Medical evaluations with a provider specialized in weight loss
• Metabolic testing
• Nutrition and behavior counseling

Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass)

Gastric bypass surgery involves making the stomach smaller and bypassing part of the small intestine. It reduces food intake and decreases the nutrients and calories your body can absorb. This is one of the most common bariatric surgeries, offering a typical weight loss of 75 percent of excess body fat. It can also potentially improve or completely resolve Type 2 diabetes, gastric reflux, hypertension and sleep apnea.

Sleeve gastrectomy (vertical sleeve gastrectomy)

Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common weight loss surgery. This restrictive procedure involves 75 to 80 percent of the stomach. Because the stomach becomes smaller, and your gastrointestinal tract's "hunger hormones" decrease. As a result, you can eat less, and your appetite is also reduced. Sleeve gastrectomy can offer significant long-term weight loss and potentially improve or resolve Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea.

Duodenal switch (DS) surgery

DS with biliary pancreatic diversion, sometimes called biliary pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS), involves a sleeve gastrectomy and intestinal bypass. It aims to help you feel fuller faster and reduce the amount of food you can consume. Although it is one of the more complex procedures, it typically results in the highest and longest-lasting weight loss. It can also significantly improve, or even resolve, Type 2 diabetes, gastric reflux, hypertension and sleep apnea.

Revisional bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgeries can be excellent treatment options to help you and many others lose weight. However, as with any surgery, you may not experience the desired results. In these instances, you may need follow-up or additional bariatric surgery. Because we are improving upon an original bariatric procedure, it is called "revisional" bariatric surgery.

This type of surgery is very complex, and our teams know it must be personalized to your needs and unique situation. We discuss your goals and options to ensure you understand and feel comfortable with your treatment plan. We can help you find a path forward in your weight loss journey, even if you had your initial surgery with another facility.

The first year after weight loss surgery is a year of significant change. It's a new beginning — a new you. It can change how you approach:

• Coping with stress, boredom and anxiety
• Eating, including whether you eat in or dine out
• Participating in social outings or family events
• Relationships

Having a support system around you is also vital to your long-term success. One of the ways we help with this is to have our experts available to meet with you individually. Our team can help you make healthier lifestyle habits after surgery and answer any questions or concerns.

We also encourage you to:

• Attend support groups
• Connect with your doctor
• Keep your follow-up appointments with your surgeon and other specialists
• Meet with a bariatric dietitian so they can give you advice as you transition into each new phase of life and your diet

We are currently offering free weight loss seminars. Our seminars are available to anyone interested in learning more about their options, as well as required lifestyle changes when undergoing weight loss surgery. Topics we will cover include:

• Benefits and risks associated with each type of procedure
• Lifestyle changes required for weight loss success
• Steps to take before the procedure
• What to expect during the recovery process
• Who is a candidate for weight loss surgery

Congratulations on taking your next step! If you are considering weight loss surgery, our team is here to help you feel prepared to move forward.