Transform Your Life: Understanding Weight Loss Surgery Options

With new and effective weight loss medications hitting the market and grabbing headlines, we have more treatment options than ever for weight loss and improving health. If past attempts at weight loss have proven ineffective or yielded sub-optimal results, incorporating weight loss surgery, also known as Bariatric surgery, can be part of a life-changing strategy for better health.

In my practice, we understand that there is a role for all of the weight loss tools, and we believe that it is important to work with an expert who can offer all of the options. Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix, but it is another powerful tool for individuals struggling with obesity or weight-related health issues. I perform these operations utilizing the latest technology as an early adopter of Robotic surgery. Below, we will explore the different types of weight loss surgeries and their potential benefits.

Surgeries I Offer (in order of increasing complexity):

Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy:
In this procedure, a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped stomach. This reduction in stomach size limits food intake and alters hormones that play a role in hunger and fullness.

Robotic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass:
This surgery involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and rerouting flow directly to the small intestine. It restricts food intake, reduces the absorption of calories and nutrients, and alters hormones that play a role in hunger and fullness.

Robotic SADI-S (Single Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy with Sleeve):
SADI-S is a modification of the duodenal switch procedure (below). It limits the absorption of calories and nutrients and reroutes the flow directly to the small intestine, while maintaining a more straightforward surgical technique. It also restricts food intake and alters hormones that play a role in hunger and fullness.

Robotic Duodenal Switch with Biliopancreatic Diversion (DS):
DS is a complex procedure that involves both restrictive and malabsorptive elements. It reduces stomach size, reroutes flow to the small intestine to limit calorie absorption, restricts food intake, and alters hormones that play a role in hunger and fullness.

Robotic Revisional Bariatric Surgery:
In some cases, individuals may need a revisional surgery to modify or correct a previous weight loss procedure.

Important Considerations:

• Lifestyle Changes: Surgery is a powerful tool, but long-term success relies on adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy eating, increasing physical activity, proper sleep, and stress management.
• Surgical Risks: Like any surgery, weight loss procedures carry risks, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, leakage from staple or suture lines, and complications related to anesthesia. It’s crucial to discuss these risks with your healthcare provider.
• Preparation and Support: Comprehensive pre-surgery evaluations, as well as ongoing post-surgery support and follow-up care, are essential for a successful outcome.
• Patient Selection: Weight loss surgery is not suitable for everyone. It is typically recommended for individuals with severe obesity or those with obesity-related health issues who are healthy enough to undergo major surgery.

Weight loss surgery can be a transformative journey toward a healthier, happier life. However, it is a decision that requires careful consideration, thorough consultation with medical professionals, and a commitment to lifelong changes.

If you or a loved one are exploring weight loss surgery as an option, consult with a Bariatric surgeon and gather all the necessary information to make an informed choice. Your path to better health begins with knowledge and support, and we would be happy to help you.