Bariatric Surgery

             Bariatric surgery refers to the surgical treatment of the disease of morbid obesity.  Morbid obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. There are several surgical options for patients suffering from morbid obesity. These include Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass), and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Laparoscopic Vertical Gastrectomy). Most insurance carriers require coverage verification and pre-authorization for these procedures.

             Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band is a silicone band that is securely placed around the upper portion of the stomach to divide the stomach into two portions; a smaller pouch on top, and a larger section below the band. By reducing the storage area in the stomach, patients feel full sooner and consume smaller amounts of food, resulting in weight loss. The band can be accessed through a small port implanted under the skin of the abdominal wall, enabling the surgeon to adjust the flow of food that passes between the two sections of the stomach or to reverse the procedure if necessary.

             Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Lap Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) is a procedure that helps patients to lose weight in two ways. First, a smaller stomach pouch is created, which causes the patient to feel full after eating just a small amount of food. Second, the food bypasses the remaining section of the stomach and a portion of the intestines, which limits food absorption and reduces the amount of calories the body takes in. This procedure also lessens the body’s ability to tolerate foods that are high in sugar and fats. Because eating these foods will cause discomfort, patients quickly learn to avoid these types of foods, which further aids in weight loss. Good nutrition and vitamin supplements are an important part of the post-surgical plan for this option.

             Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Lap Vertical Gastrectomy) is the newest bariatric option and is growing in popularity. During this procedure, the stomach is restricted by stapling it and dividing it vertically. The larger portion (85%) is then removed, leaving behind a slim section of stomach. There is no bypass performed with this option; weight loss occurs through reduced intake of food. This procedure has several differences from the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, but unlike the Adjustable Gastric Band, can not be reversed. 

             Bariatric surgery is only one option to consider for morbidly obese patients. Obesity is considered morbid when any one of the following is true: an adult is 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight, an adult has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or an adult has a BMI between 35 and 40 and also suffers from type 2 diabetes or life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems such as sleep apnea or heart disease. These and other related health conditions including respiratory problems, gastroesophageal reflux, depression, infertility, and many other conditions can improve significantly with weight reduction. 

             Diet and exercise programs should be tried before considering weight loss surgery, but these methods are often unsuccessful.  Bariatric surgery has been shown to be more successful, resulting in more weight loss and better long-term outcomes for patients, as compared to diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs or weight loss drugs. Our physicians believe that the decision to undergo bariatric surgery should be well researched and that our patients should be well informed. Your physician, along with our caring and knowledgeable staff, will work with you throughout the entire process, and, if you choose to have surgery, for many years after your actual surgery.