Weight loss surgery

A duodenal switch limits how much you can eat. The procedure involves two steps: sleeve gastrectomy followed by the connecting of the intestine to the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.

Ideal candidates for a duodenal switch include patients with a BMI greater than 55.

An intragastric balloon is inserted orally, guided through your esophagus and placed directly into your stomach. This is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.

The balloon stays in place for six months and during this time, you will fill fuller faster. The reduced intake of food helps facilitate weight loss. You may be eligible for a gastric balloon procedure if:

• Your BMI is less than 30
• You have tried other weight loss programs like supervised diet, exercise and behavior modification programs but were unable to lose and keep off weight

After you receive the gastric balloon, you will be part of a program that includes a healthy diet and exercise plan. If this plan isn’t followed, you will not experience significant, maybe any, weight loss results.

We know losing and keeping off weight is not easy, so we provide a team of surgeons, exercise physiologist and dieticians to support you throughout the program.

Gastric bypass surgery (sometimes called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) involves making the stomach smaller and bypassing part of the small intestine. This limits how much food you need to feel full and decreases the nutrients and calories your body is able to absorb. This procedure also causes gut hormones to release earlier, making you feel less hungry.

This is one of the most common bariatric surgeries, offering typical weight loss of 75 percent. It also significantly improves or completely resolves Type 2 diabetes, gastric reflux, hypertension and sleep apnea. This procedure is also considered a treatment for metabolic syndrome and can also eliminate the need for reflux medications.

Usually, gastric bypass surgery can be completely in two hours or less. Most patients will need to stay in the hospital for two or three days after their operation, and they can return to their typical lifestyle within two weeks. This bypass is not reversable or adjustable.

Ideal candidates include patients with a BMI greater than 35 with additional conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.

Bariatric surgeries are excellent treatment options that help many patients successfully lose weight. However, as with any surgery, some patients may not experience the results they want. In these cases, you may need follow-up or additional bariatric surgery. Because these patients have already had bariatric surgery before, this type of surgery is called "revisional" bariatric surgery.

Bariatric revision surgery procedures can vary greatly based on the original operation, how long ago it was performed, the degree of weight loss achieved and the current nutritional and physical state of the individual. Revision procedures are not one size fits all and not everyone is a candidate for a revision.

A bariatric surgeon may perform a revision operation in order to:

• Correct issues associated with weight loss surgery, such as a slipped gastric band, gastric band erosion or an enlarged stomach pouch
• Correct issues preventing weight loss, such as the intestines absorbing too many calories
• Correct medical complications resulting from surgery, such as bone loss or not absorbing vitamins and minerals correctly
• Remove a gastric band

Sleeve gastrectomy (sometimes called "vertical sleeve gastrectomy") is a restrictive procedure and is the most common weight loss surgery. This procedure involves removing 75 to 80 percent of the stomach, virtually eliminating the hormones in your gastrointestinal tract that stimulate hunger. A sleeve gastrectomy procedure does not involve any bypass of the intestinal tract and can be performed laparoscopically.

With this surgery, you can eat less, and your appetite decreases. It offers not only significant long-term weight loss of greater than 65 percent but also improves or resolves Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea.

This procedure might be a good choice if you also have existing conditions, such as anemia or Crohn’s disease, which prevent you from having other forms of bariatric surgery.

Learn more about each type of weight loss surgery.