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Over time the benefits of weight loss surgery may include:

• Significant weight loss
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Improvement of Type II diabetes
• Improvement of cardiovascular health
• Relief of sleep apnea
• Relief of digestive problems
• Decreased joint pain
• Improved mobility
• Improved self image

In addition, weight loss provides an increase in mobility for previously sedentary patient.

• You must have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more. This is usually approximately 100 pounds of excess weight.
• Or a BMI over 30 with a co-morbid condition. Some examples of co-morbid conditions related to being overweight are Diabetes Type 2, degenerative joint disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, infertility, sleep apnea, urinary stress incontinence, or depression.
• Have an understanding of the operation and the necessary lifestyle changes you will need to make.
• Be committed to making the necessary changes
• Attend an informational seminar meeting (2 hours).
• Comply with necessary labs, consultations, and testing the doctors have ordered.
• Attend a preoperative education class (4 hours).

Next Steps…Getting Started

The first step for all patients to enter our program is to attend an informational seminar. In the mean time it is important that you be doing the following:

1. Contact your insurance company and determine if your plan has a benefit for weight loss surgery.
2. Call to register for an upcoming weight loss surgery seminar
3. Gather all weight loss records and documents. Many insurance companies require Documentation of at least six continuous months of a physician supervised weight loss program.
4. Begin making health food choices and begin to make lifestyle changes such as starting an exercise plan. Any weight that you can lose before surgery is very important.
5. Familiarize yourself with the program overview.

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The first step in the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the creation of a small stomach pouch using a surgical stapler. The stomach pouch, about the size of a thumb, is created out of the top portion of the existing stomach. The small stomach pouch restricts the amount of food eaten in one sitting. Next, the small bowel is divided about two feet from the stomach. One end of the small bowel is attached to the “new” stomach pouch, referred to as the gastrojejunostomy. The other end of the section of small bowel, still connected to the remaining large portion of the pre-existing stomach, is reconnected to the intestinal tract. This is referred to as the jejunojejunostomy.

As implied by the term “gastric bypass,” food is now routed past most of the stomach and the first section of the small intestines. The procedure causes a restriction in the amount of food that is consumed and a reduction in the nutrients that are absorbed.

The Sleeve Gastrectomy

The Sleeve Gastrectomy is also a restrictive procedure. The objective of the procedure is relatively simple, to reduce the size of the stomach by about 60%. The new stomach is in the shape of a sleeve, giving the gastrectomy its name.