Bariatric Treatment Options

Losing weight can be difficult, and it doesn’t help that there are so many options available.

Baptist Health is here to help you find the best weight loss option to meet your goals and lead a happier, healthier life. While we offer advanced bariatric surgery options, we understand bariatric surgery isn’t for everyone.

We also know obstacles can sometimes make bariatric surgery difficult. If you find yourself in this position, or if you need to lose weight before bariatric surgery, you may find success using medical weight loss. 

Learn more about the three primary types of bariatric surgery below.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

A sleeve gastrectomy is the procedure surgeons perform most commonly to treat obesity. It shrinks the size of the stomach by approximately 80%, significantly reducing the amount of food it can hold. The procedure is also effective because the part of the stomach the surgeon takes out includes the area where ghrelin, a hunger hormone, is made. 

Surgeons perform gastric sleeve surgeries laparoscopically (through a few small slits in the abdomen) or using robotic technology. Both methods produce less pain and scarring and enable patients to leave the hospital faster and recover quicker. 

Patients typically enjoy rapid weight loss following the procedure, with a low risk of complications. 

Gastric Bypass Surgery

In a gastric bypass procedure, the surgeon divides the patient’s stomach, creating a new pouch they attach to a lower part of the intestines. That change causes food to bypass the remainder of the stomach and the first part of the intestines, meaning less of it is absorbed into the body. 

Like gastric sleeve surgery, this procedure is very effective and performed laparoscopically. 

Laparoscopic Banding

So-called Lap-Band^® surgery is the least invasive of the three since the surgeon doesn’t move or remove any part of the stomach. Instead, they place an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach, thereby reducing the size of the stomach pouch. 

Following the procedure, patients eat less because they become full faster. Over time, a doctor gradually tightens the band until the patient has reached their target weight. 

Laparoscopic banding is safe and effective, with few risks. And while the weight loss is slower than with other methods, many patients achieve successful outcomes with this procedure. 

Who Is a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Your doctor may recommend bariatric surgery if:

• You have trouble losing weight with diet and exercise.
• Your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or higher, and you have one or more weight-related conditions that require medication.
• Your BMI is over 40, and you currently have no obesity-related health problems.

Learn More Bariatric Care and Weight Loss Services at Baptist Health

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is essential to good health and the enjoyment of life. If you’ve been unsuccessful at controlling your weight, Baptist Health can help.

Contact us to learn more about our bariatric care and weight loss services.