Weight Loss Options

You have options with the Weight Loss Surgery Program.

We offer:
Roux-en-Y laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery
Realize® laparoscopic gastric banding outpatient surgery
Gastric sleeve laparoscopic surgery

Day of your surgery
Going home after surgery

Whichever direction you choose to go, we're here to help you on your weight-loss journey.

ROUX-en-Y

This procedure involves dividing the stomach to form a new, small gastric pouch that limits the amount of food that can be eaten. The first part of the small intestine, the duodenum, is bypassed, so food travels directly from the new stomach pouch to the lower part of the jejunum (a portion of the small intestine), thereby reducing the absorption of calories and nutrients, such as fats and sugars.

Watch an animation video of the Gastric Bypass procedure:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass provides restriction combined with some malabsorption.

The stapling is done vertically, creating a small pouch.

The stomach, however, is completely stapled shut, and the outlet of the pouch opens into the small intestine. This divides the small bowel just beyond the duodenum and brings it up to the pouch, constructing a connection.

The other open end of the bowel is attached to the Roux limb of intestine, completing a "Y."

Average Hospital stay
ROUX-en-Y laparoscopic surgery usually requires a two-night hospital stay.

Realize® gastric banding

This laparoscopic procedure uses an adjustable gastric band that wraps around the upper stomach to create a new stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food eaten. An access port is used to adjust the restrictiveness of the band. The access port is hidden under the skin.

Watch an amimation of the Gastric Banding procedure:

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is surgically removed. This results in a stomach that is roughly the size and shape of a narrow banana. This small banana-shaped tube or sleeve becomes the new stomach pouch and extends from the natural stomach opening (esophagus) to the natural stomach outlet (pyloric valve). Gastric sleeve surgery helps limit eating by reducing the overall size of the stomach and helps control hunger by removing the part of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone Ghrelin.

Since this operation does not involve any rerouting or reconnecting of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than gastric bypass. Unlike the Realize® gastric banding procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen. Short-term results show that gastric sleeve patients who had the stand-alone procedure can expect to achieve 60 to 70 percent excess weight loss at two years. Gastric sleeve surgery may be safe for patients with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 60, and it may be used as stage one in a two-stage operation. For patients with a BMI less than 50, the weight loss results are similar to those experienced by Gastric Bypass patients.

Watch an animation video of the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure:

Advantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines
Preserves the pylorus (no dumping syndrome)
Anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency are avoided due to the fact there is no malabsorption of nutrients
Substantially removes the "hunger hormone" Ghrelin
Simpler operation than gastric bypass
No artificial devices (band) are left inside the patient
No need for adjustments or fills, which are required for adjustable band patients

Day of Surgery

The day of your surgery, you will be admitted to a room that is specially designed for bariatric patients. The nursing staff are dedicated to bariatric patients and will be a great source of information and support throughout your hospital stay.

The Surgery

Operations for obesity are designed to change the energy balance. Energy balance is related to the amount of food absorbed and the amount of energy used. Surgery may control obesity by changing energy balance in two ways:

1. Decreasing the intake of food (restriction)
2. Causing some foods, such as sugars and fats, to be poorly digested and incompletely absorbed (malabsorption) and, therefore, eliminated in the stool.

Going Home

As with anyone who's had surgery, you may need a little extra help once home. Cooking, cleaning, going to the store and bathing may all be accomplished more safely with the assistance of a family member or friend. Your strength will return, and you'll soon be able to accomplish all normal tasks with confidence.

You're now ready for the third phase of our care—the rest of your life! You'll be part of a family that has worked to create a better, healthier life. Not only will you still receive support from our team, you'll begin moving to a leadership role in support groups, offering advice and encouragement.

Register today!

Call 570-552-THIN to register for our free Weight Loss Surgery Information Session or Support Group. Or CLICK HERE to register online.