Weight loss surgery

The endoscopic gastric balloon procedure is a nonsurgical bariatric option for many people with a BMI between 30 and 40. On average, patients lose about 35 pounds with the balloon in place, combined with dietary counseling and an exercise program.

During this minimally-invasive procedure, a medical balloon is inserted with an endoscope — a thin, flexible scope with a tiny video camera and light on the end. The procedure can take as little as 15 minutes, and you typically go home the same day.

The balloon temporarily occupies space in the stomach, helping you feel full with less food. While the balloon is in place, it enables you to make lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications and exercise routines.

After six months of building these healthy habits and adapting to a healthier way of living, the balloon device is removed.

The adjustable gastric band system involves a purely restrictive surgical procedure in which a band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach. Because the amount of food that passes through the band is regulated, it makes you feel full faster. Food digestion occurs through the normal digestive process.

Gastric sleeve is a surgical weight loss procedure in which a portion of the stomach is removed, reducing it to about 15 percent of its original size. No bypass is involved in this procedure, making it a beneficial alternative if you have a higher BMI.

Gastric bypass restricts food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs by creating a smaller stomach pouch and changing the digestive process. As a result, food bypasses a large part of the stomach and most of the small intestine.

Robotic surgery involves surgeons using robotic technology to perform your procedure. These minimally invasive procedures usually require fewer and much smaller incisions, which means you get less scarring, less pain and a faster recovery.

The robotic system also gives our surgeons enhanced visualization, greater dexterity, increased precision and better control of surgical instruments.

Our hospital is the first in the area to have surgeons perform:

• Robotic adjustable gastric band
• Robotic single-incision adjustable gastric band
• Robotic sleeve gastrectomy

Ideally, your diet will have changed before bariatric surgery to solidify the habit of eating more protein, eating smaller portions and eating healthier foods. Immediately after weight loss surgery, your eating habits will then drastically change in ways that will permanently impact your life.

After weight loss surgery, you must strictly follow a specified diet to ensure proper healing and obtain adequate nutrition. For example, in the first nine to 12 weeks after surgery, you must gradually progress to eating solid foods.

The number one reason weight loss surgery "fails" is because patients abandon the postsurgical diet and modified exercise program prescribed by their weight loss surgeon or dietitian.

Support group meetings are an incredibly helpful way to get the emotional support and encouragement you need to have long-term, sustained weight loss. Our bariatric surgeons and weight-loss specialists will suggest support groups for preoperative and postoperative support for you.

These free group meetings offer opportunities to learn more about life after weight loss surgery, to share experiences and to gain support from our program’s professionals.