Bariatric surgery

Transform your body and your life

Obesity is a progressive and costly disease. It increases the risk for a number of serious medical conditions and often causes people to seek care for other disease-related issues. Like other chronic conditions, obesity requires life-long treatment.

When a surgical weight loss procedure is combined with lifelong follow-up care and lifestyle modification, it can be easier to successfully manage your weight and health.

Weight loss that results from surgery can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, female infertility, urinary incontinence and acid reflux or heartburn. It also reduces the risk of death from cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Patients also report more energy, less pain and greater self-confidence as they approach a healthier weight.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery (or metabolic surgery) is weight loss surgery. Specially trained surgeons perform safe and effective procedures designed to help patients manage obesity and conditions related to the complex disease. Surgery can help patients lose weight, reduce blood sugar and blood pressure levels, reduce the risk of other serious health problems, live longer and feel better.

Weight loss surgery is a very effective treatment, but it is not a cure for obesity. People who choose to have a bariatric procedure need to follow nutrition, physical activity and medical recommendations for life.

Our team works with you to optimize your health and prepare for surgery. We also offer support and guidance as you work to adopt and maintain healthy habits.

What procedures are available and how do they work?

The most common surgical procedures are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

During a Roux-en-Y case, a small stomach pouch is created and attached directly to the small intestine. A large part of the stomach is bypassed along with the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestine. It is a reversible procedure.

A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy removes about 80% of the stomach. The result is a tube about the size and shape of a banana. The procedure cannot be reversed.

In both instances, the surgical modifications limit the amount of food you can eat at one time and the amount of energy that is absorbed from the food. Surgery also disrupts the hormone signals that trigger your appetite and feelings of hunger, helping you eat less so your body can reach and maintain a healthy weight over time.

What are the surgical requirements?

A provider referral is required and eligible patients must:

• Be age 18 to 64.
• Have a body mass index of 35 to 55 (male) or 35 to 60 (female).
• Be able to walk independently.

Surgical candidates cannot have organ failure or significant heart or lung damage. They also cannot have had a previous metabolic or bariatric procedure or an organ transplant, and they cannot be a transplant candidate.

Health insurance companies are likely to have additional requirements. Check with your health plan to determine your eligibility and level of coverage. Common requirements may include:

• Proof of previous weight loss efforts with limited success.
• Proof of participation in a weight management program that offered counseling on lifestyle modification, including nutrition and physical activity.
• Evaluation by a registered dietitian specializing in weight management.
• Evaluation by a behavioral health therapist or psychologist.

If your insurance requires participation in a weight management program a comprehensive six-month program is available.

Your bariatric surgery team

Achieve long-term results with help from experts who take a coordinated, holistic approach to weight loss. We will help you prepare for surgery and offer ongoing support to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, reach your goals and enhance your health. Your dedicated team includes:

• Fellowship-trained surgeon - Helps you select the procedure that will be best for you, performs the surgery, monitors your healing and provides follow up until you recover from surgery.
• Nurse practitioner – Provides medical and medication management, and helps you start healthy habits, overcome challenges and achieve lifelong weight goals. Monitors your weight loss maintenance, and vitamin and mineral levels throughout your lifetime.
• Dietitian – Provides education to help you make sustainable nutrition changes that can improve your health while balancing your unique tastes, lifestyle, budget and health goals. Prepares you for the nutritional changes required before and after your surgery.
• Behavioral health therapist – Provides with you skills to help address emotional eating, life stressors, cravings and changes you experience after weight loss surgery. Works with you to discover and maintain a healthy relationship with food and your body.

What to expect

Before you meet with our bariatric surgeon, you will need to set up a MyChart account. You will use the secure patient portal to complete a questionnaire and participate in a brief online orientation.

At your first appointment with the surgeon, you will learn if you are a candidate for one of the minimally invasive surgical options ProHealth offers. If so, you will discuss the procedure that may be best for you and steps you may need to take to minimize your risk of complications following surgery and enhance your surgical experience. You will also discuss the specific benefits and risks you can expect so you can make an informed decision.

If you decide to proceed with surgery, you will meet with our program coordinator. The coordinator will help ensure you meet your requirements for insurance coverage, your health is optimized prior to surgery and offer support throughout your journey to better health.

Surgery patients meet with the team frequently during the first year and annually thereafter. They also keep connected by participating in the program’s support group.

Ready to take the next step?

To get started, ask your primary care provider or specialist to refer you to a bariatric surgeon at ProHealth Care or send us an online request and we will reach out to you.

Once we receive a referral, we will contact you and schedule a consultation with our bariatric surgeon.

If you have questions about our program or the surgical experience, call 262-928-3880 or connect with us by email.