Bariatric Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure to bypass part of the stomach, making it smaller so the patient feels fuller with less food. The surgeon creates a small stomach pouch, reducing the amount of food a patient can eat. This small pouch is then surgically attached to the middle of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. These changes allow patients to eat smaller meals without feeling hungry and produce other hormonal changes that result in dramatic weight loss. 

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy involves removing a majority of the stomach, creating a narrow “sleeve” of the stomach. As a result, the stomach will hold less food and produce fewer hunger-causing hormones. By reducing stomach capacity and appetite, the procedure assists with weight loss and improves health. 

Both procedures are done laparoscopically, using minimal incisions.  The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is typically a one-hour inpatient surgery, and most patients go home the following day. The gastric bypass procedure is a two-hour procedure, and most patients are discharged home within 48 hours of surgery.  Typically, patients can return to work in two weeks and are fully recovered by six weeks. Both procedures substantially improve or resolve co-morbid conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The placement of laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands is no longer common in the US. However, there are still millions of patients who have these devices in place.  While we do not perform adjustable gastric banding, our team can provide ongoing care for band patients, including adjustments and, when necessary, removal.