Weight-loss Surgical Procedures

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, can give you a fresh start but it is not an instant fix or an easy way out. Weight-loss surgery can help you reach a physical state where diet and exercise makes a real impact in less time. It takes dedication to lose the weight and keep it off, even after surgery.

We offer two weight-loss procedures to help you achieve a healthier, happier way of life.

Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass

With this procedure, the stomach is divided to create a small pouch that can hold approximately 30 cubic centimeters from its original capacity of 2,000 - 3,000 cubic centimeters. This dramatically limits the amount of food that can be eaten. The remaining stomach is stapled closed and surgically separated but not removed.

The small intestine is divided further downstream and attached to the new pouch so that any food eaten bypasses the old stomach. The connection from your new stomach to the intestine is small to limit the food that passes through.

The duodenum, the first section of the small intestine, continues to receive liver bile, enzymes and pancreatic juice needed for digestion. The small intestine is surgically divided to create a Y limb. None of the intestine is removed. One section of the divided intestine is then connected to your new smaller stomach pouch.

The duodenum is rejoined to the side of the jejunum, the second part of the intestine to form a common limb. This opening is wide so food can pass through easily. Pancreatic juices and liver bile from the duodenum now reach the food as it travels down the jejunum. Liver bile begins fat absorption at this time. Fat is only being partially absorbed. Sugars are absorbed but discouraged because they cause most patients to experience the "dumping syndrome." This is a very uncomfortable feeling of flushing, cold sweats, palpitations, weakness and abdominal cramps.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Originating as the first part of the Duodenal Switch (or Biliopancreatic diversion), the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has gained popularity due to research showing that this procedure alone is highly effective in treating morbid obesity. Long-term studies are currently underway, and we perform this procedure by special request.

The operation is laparoscopic, and involves cutting the stomach longitudinally so that stomach volume is reduced to less than 100 cubic centimeters. Important hunger hormones called Grehlin are removed with the resection. This is a purely restrictive surgery similar to the gastric band that uses no tubes or foreign bodies.

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you.