Weight-Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure. As you consider having weight-loss surgery, you’ll have many questions and concerns. Dr. Graber and Dr. Fitzer and their team are dedicated to helping you make the right decision so you can feel comfortable with your choice.

Gastric bypass surgery is an extremely effective treatment for the lifelong condition of morbid obesity. As with any surgery, bariatric surgery also presents risks. It’s important to review our complete information about bariatric surgery and discuss any questions you have with your surgeon.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

For those individuals who cannot lose weight by non-surgical means, or who suffer from serious obesity-related problems, bariatric surgery may be the best option if their BMI is greater than 35.

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, alters the stomach and digestive process. There are two types of surgical procedures: restrictive and malabsorptive.

We perform two types of weight-loss procedures. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the preferred bypass procedure throughout the United States. Open Roux-en-Y surgical procedures have been done for 50 years; however, the use of the laparoscopic method of surgery now allows for a shorter hospitalization and recovery period.

Our second surgery offered, the gastric banding procedure, is a simpler restrictive operation used for weight loss, but the weight loss is not as much as with gastric bypass.

Is Surgery for Me?

Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss surgery for patients who are overweight, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40, or greater than 35 with serious health complications, and have repeatedly failed at non-surgical methods of weight loss, such as diet and exercise.

It is extremely important for all patients who participate in our Bariatric Surgery Program to demonstrate that they can fully commit and participate in all of the aspects, both before, as well as after, the actual surgical procedure in order to attain the best result possible.

For more information regarding bariatric surgery and how it can benefit you, visit the following sites:

www.asbs.org
www.obesity.org
www.weightlosssurgeryinfo.com
www.nih.gov
www.bariatricedge.com
www.obesityhelp.com
www.surgicalreview.org