Is Surgery Right for Me?
Research supports the benefits of weight-loss surgery for those who meet the following criteria:
- Body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
- Calculate your BMI
- BMI between 35 and 39 diagnosed with morbid obesity and related health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and other obesity-related conditions.
- Unable to achieve a healthy body weight for a sustained period of time, even through medically supervised dieting
- Age 18+
- Willingness to make lifestyle and eating habit changes
- Commitment to behavior modification, support groups and long-term follow up
Surgery Descriptions
Weight loss surgery is performed on the stomach and intestine causing a reduction of food intake. Bariatric weight loss surgery does not remove fat. The goal of surgery is to reduce the size of the stomach which will limit the amount of food you can eat and digest. You may return to a normal life after surgery, however for long-term weight loss success, you will be required to change your lifestyle through consumption of healthier foods choices, being physically active and by having strong support systems. You must plan every meal, be committed to losing weight and make certain your body is getting all the necessary nutrients needed to survive.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
A gastric bypass is performed by introducing a laparoscope through small abdominal incisions. The entire operation is performed "inside" the abdomen and special stapling instruments are used to create a new small stomach pouch. The remainder of the stomach is not removed (99 percent), but is completely stapled shut and divided from the new small stomach pouch. This process allows for faster recovery.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
This type of restrictive weight-loss involves the reduction of the size of the stomach to about 60 cc in volume. As a result, patients feel full after a smaller portion of food, and therefore lose weight due to lower food intake. There are also significant effects on the hunger mechanisms with this method that lead to greater weight loss with the sleeve gastrectomy than with just a small stomach pouch. Hunger is decreased because there is a reduced capacity to produce Ghrelin, a substance that plays a role in how you feel and relieve hunger. Weight loss with the sleeve gastrectomy ranges from 55 to 70 percent of excess body weight, depending on your circumstances.
Laparoscopic Banding
Adjustable gastric banding limits food intake by placing a constricting ring completely around the stomach below the junction of the stomach and esophagus. The small gastric pouch (the size of a golf ball) restricts the amount of food that can be consumed during a meal. Ingested food passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing it to be fully absorbed into the body.
