Conditions Associated with Severe Obesity That Are Typically Resolved Post-Surgery
- Type 2 adult onset diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart attacks
- Congestive heart failure
- Stroke
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Low-back pain
- Urinary stress incontinence
- Severe acid reflux
Surgeries We Perform
Minimally Invasive Gastric Bypass Surgery
One of the most popular and successful surgical approaches, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, can be performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques (also known as laparoscopic.)
Specially designed instruments are inserted through several small incisions. Surgical video cameras called laparoscopes are also inserted, so the surgeon can see inside the body. Surgeons watch on monitors as they perform the surgery.
The difference between minimally invasive gastric bypass surgery and open bypass surgery is that there are several small incisions instead of one very large one. This reduces post-surgical pain, shortens post-surgical time in the hospital, shortens overall patient recovery time and sharply reduces risk of infections.
read about Amy's successful bypass surgery
Open Gastric Bypass Surgery
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, when performed through an open procedure, requires a five-to-six-inch incision in the abdomen from the breast bone to the belly button.
Some surgeons prefer this method because they feel it provides them with the best access to the stomach and small intestine.
Some patients, depending on their weight and other health conditions, may not be eligible for the laparoscopic procedure and will require an open incision.
Regardless of the type of incision and surgical technique, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the same and patients experience the same results.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Bands
Another bariatric surgical option is the LAP-BAND® system in which an inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach by laparoscopic instruments inserted in several small incisions.
Like gastric bypass surgery, a new small upper stomach pouch is created that limits the stomach capacity. The narrowed outlet from the stomach makes the patient feel full faster and it empties more slowly so patients do not feel hungry between meals.
The LAP-BAND® is the only adjustable and reversible obesity surgery, though reversals should only be considered in extreme cases.
Because banding does not bypass the intestines, most banding patients lose weight more slowly than those who have had gastric bypass surgery.
Banding also gives the patient the option of expanding or reducing stomach capacity as nutritional needs change, for example, during pregnancy. The LAP-BAND® system creates a small stomach pouch and smaller outlet to the rest of the intestines. Through an access port placed under the skin of the abdomen the surgeon can reduce or expand the stomach outlet.
Learn more about bariatric surgeries in the Health Library
