Bariatric Surgery Procedures

Choosing to undergo weight-loss surgery is a serious decision. If a person's excess weight is causing serious medical and emotional problems, surgery can be a hopeful avenue to a healthier life. Gastric Bypass and Gastric Banding are two types of surgical procedures for patients with weight-loss goals of 75 pounds or more of excess weight.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y

Al Roker and Carnie Wilson are a couple of the well-known patients who successfully controlled their weight with gastric bypass surgery. Most appropriate for those who need to lose more than 100 pounds, the procedure is a power tool in the journey to successful weight loss.

In gastric bypass surgery, stapling is used to create a small stomach pouch at the very top of the stomach. This restricts the amount of food you can eat. The pouch is then connected directly to a portion of the intestine. This bypass of the main part of the stomach allows less absorption of calories, and less stimulation of the hormones that drive the appetite.

"Our patients lose up to 85 percent of the excess body weight and maintain that weight loss with gastric bypass," said Dr. Shieh.

Gastric Banding

Gastric Banding is the recommended procedure for qualified patients who wish to lose between 50 to 100 pounds. A silicone band is surgically placed around the stomach to create a pouch in the upper stomach, with a small opening leading to the lower stomach. This limits the amount of food a person can eat at one time. The patient feels full sooner and the same sense of fullness lasts a long time.

The risk for Gastric Banding surgery is lower that that of any other type of bariatric surgery. Other benefits are it is reversible and requires a short hospital stay of less than 24 hours. The system also can be adjusted to change the rate of weight loss. Patients lose more gradually with the procedure, and tend to continue shedding pounds over time. Our patients lose 65 percent of their excess body weight and keep it off.

Click here to view a short video presentation on Lap-Band.

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