Weight Loss Surgery
Get a second chance with bariatric surgery at Adventist Health
Living with obesity can be challenging, but we are here to help. If your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30, research shows strong evidence that even a 10-percent weight loss can have a significant impact on improvement of weight-related health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) is an effective treatment for obesity. While this can be a very important and even lifesaving procedure for some patients, it is not a decision that should be made lightly. Bariatric surgeries change the way you digest and absorb food. Your lifestyle will need to change after the procedure. Our board-certified bariatric surgeons will review the safety and effectiveness of surgical weight-loss options so that together you can decide what is best for your health.
Bariatric surgeries we offer
Bariatric surgeries are complex procedures that should only be performed by experienced surgeons. As mentioned above, the weight-loss procedure you choose will have a significant impact on your diet and lifestyle. Make sure you learn about all your options, what each surgery involves and how it will affect your life afterward before making a decision.
Based on your weight loss needs, the bariatric surgeons may recommend one of the following options:
- Gastric banding: The idea behind the gastric band procedure is to make your stomach smaller. A band wrapped around the stomach that creates a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach. You will start to feel full when this pouch fills up, so you should feel full faster and not feel hungry as often. Gastric banding does not affect digestion or absorption.
- Gastric bypass: Like gastric banding, this procedure begins by separating the stomach into two sections. After that, the surgeon will connect the small intestine to the upper pouch of the stomach. Now food will no longer pass through the lower section of the stomach, meaning you absorb fewer calories. This will affect the nutrients your body absorbs, so you will need to pay attention to your diet.
- Sleeve gastrectomy: This is one of the most popular weight-loss procedures. The stomach is stapled to create a thin “sleeve,” and the rest of the stomach is removed. This sleeve now functions as the stomach, meaning you feel full faster. Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the simplest bariatric surgeries and is often used in conjunction with other procedures.
- Revision surgery: Complications can occur after weight-loss surgery. Some patients have trouble adjusting to the new lifestyle, while others are not seeing the results they wanted. Bariatric revision surgery takes many forms. After we hear about your unique issues, we can help you figure out a solution.
Our knowledgeable bariatric surgeons can explain the ins and outs of these procedures in detail. We are more than happy to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision.
