Surgical options

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is the best option for people who have morbid obesity (body mass index greater than 40) and cannot lose weight by traditional means, or those who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems.

This graphic shows the normal digestive process for patients before bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery alters the digestive process and/or reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass combines stomach restriction with a partial bypass of the small intestine. This operation creates a direct connection from the stomach to the lower segment of the small intestine, bypassing portions of the digestive tract that absorb calories and nutrients. Adjustable gastric banding reduces stomach size and restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold.

Open or laparoscopic surgery

The types of surgical approaches for bariatric patients are open or laparoscopic. Open procedures are conventional surgeries in which a surgeon performs the operation through a 10- to 12-inch incision in the abdomen. Laparascopic procedures are performed in the same way as open surgeries, except six or more small incisions are used, instead of the larger abdominal incision. The laparoscope, which is a tube with a small video camera attached at the end, is inserted through the abdominal incisions, allowing internal organs to be viewed on a television monitor in the operating room. The entire operation is performed inside the abdomen.

The best results occur when surgery is combined with healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity. Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic and does not involve removing fatty tissue.

For more information, or to sign up for our free information session, call 952-993-3180.