Surgical Weight Loss
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Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat and is calculated based on an adult's height and weight.
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Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 35, or approximately 100 pounds or more overweight, may qualify for bariatric (weight-loss) surgery.
The Methodist Weight Loss & Surgery Center offers three surgical options:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
- Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band)
- Sleeve Gastrectomy
A fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon meets with you to determine which procedure fits your needs. All of our surgical alternatives to weight loss include a holistic healthcare approach that involves the participation of a psychologist, nutritionist, and exercise specialist for life-long wellness.
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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
1-800-599-NEW U
What is Gastric Bypass?
A surgeon staples a small pouch across the top of your stomach separating it from the rest of your stomach. Then, a large section of the small intestine is bypassed, including the duodenum, redirecting the food from the pouch to the lower section of your small intestine.
How does it work?
Creating a small pouch from your stomach results in an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat. Since a large part of your small intestine is bypassed, the absorption of calories and nutrients is limited. Food is delayed in mixing with bile and pancreatic juices that aid in the absorption of nutrients. The stomach continues to secrete digestive juices that mixes with the food in your small intestine.
Surgery & Recovery
The surgery generally lasts 2-3 hours and your hospital stay may last three to five days depending on your recovery.
What can I expect?
Expected weight loss is approximately 60 pounds in the first three months and 70% of excess weight in one year. For example, if you are 100 pounds overweight, you can expect to lose approximately 70 pounds in one year. This surgery is permanent, cannot be reversed, and requires a life-long eating pattern that includes nutritional supplements.
More information is available in our ADAM health encyclopedia. Find out more about this procedure by attending one of our FREE informational seminars.
Adjustable Gastric Banding (LapBand)
1-866-599-NEW U
What is adjustable gastric banding?
Adjustable gastric bands, like the Lap-Band, are an inflatable silicone device. Gastric banding is a restrictive procedure where a gastric band is placed around the top portion of the stomach without cutting, stapling or rerouting to bypass normal ingestion. This procedure only decreases your food intake and does not interfere with the normal digestive process.
How does it work?
When placed around the top portion of the stomach, the gastric band creates a small pouch. The surgeon adjusts the band to your needs by using the access port located just under the skin. The new, smaller pouch fills with food quickly and the passage of food from the top to the bottom of the stomach is slowed, resulting in an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat. Gastric banding doesn't reduce the absorption of calories and nutrients.
What can I expect?
Expected weight loss is approximately 60 pounds in one-year and 50% of excess weight in 2-years.
How does it compare?
Compared to other surgical alternatives, the Gastric Band is the safest, least invasive and only adjustable weight reduction surgery available. It is fully reversible (the band can be removed if needed) and can be adjusted to your unique weight loss needs. In general, weight loss is less and at a slower rate than the other surgical alternatives.
More information is available in our ADAM health encyclopedia. Find out more about this procedure by attending one of our FREE informational seminars.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
1-800-599-NEW U
What is a sleeve gastrectomy?
A large portion of the stomach is permanently removed. A long slender pouch (about the size of a banana) is formed, reducing its capacity to hold food. This procedure does not change the small/large intestine anatomy.
How does it work?
Since a major part of the stomach is removed, the hormones responsible for stimulating hunger are no longer available. The smaller stomach size results in an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat. The pyloric sphincter, a muscle at the end of the stomach canal that regulates food passing into the small intestine, remains intact and eliminates the problem of dumping.
What can I expect?
Most patients can expect to lose 30 to 50% of excess weight over a 6-12 month period. This surgery is permanent, cannot be reversed.
More information is available in our ADAM health encyclopedia. Find out more about this procedure by attending one of our FREE informational seminars.
