Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric Services & Weight Loss Surgery at The Bridges Center
Many patients find their obesity-related health conditions significantly improved or resolved entirely after undergoing weight loss surgery. It is not uncommon for patients to find:
- Type 2 diabetes goes away
- Blood pressure and cholesterol levels drop to a healthy range
- Sleep apnea and snoring resolves
- Heartburn decreases
- And other health improvements
Your bariatric surgeon at The Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management will discuss potential benefits as they relate to your health condition and treatment.
Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For Me?
Weight loss surgery has helped many patients in Mesa, AZ. However, because these procedures require certain lifelong commitments, and because all surgeries pose certain risk factors, bariatric surgery is not for everyone.
Generally, to be considered a candidate for weight loss surgery in our Mesa clinic, a patient must have a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 with one or more co-morbidity.
Additionally, patients must be willing to attend a free weight loss seminar (in person or online), participate in the perioperative education, follow the nutritional guidelines, and check in with their team of surgical weight loss specialists in the months and years following surgery.
Description of Procedures Offered
The board-certified weight loss surgeons in our Mesa clinic offer a wide range of bariatric surgeries. You will have the opportunity to learn about all of these procedures in greater depth when you attend one of our surgical weight loss seminars in Mesa. Your bariatric surgeon will discuss these procedures with you, and help you decide the best strategy for your unique condition and health goals.
Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND System):
As a laparoscopic procedure, adjustable gastric banding is minimally invasive and causes minimal trauma, allowing patients to go home just a few hours after their procedure is over. During the procedure, the surgeon puts a small saline-filled band around the upper portion of the stomach. By reducing the size of the stomach, patients eat less and feel full faster.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS):
In this procedure (typically done laparoscopically), the bariatric surgeon removes approximately 70% of the stomach, which creates a new stomach size and shape. In addition to reducing stomach size, the intestines are re-routed to reduce the amount of calories your digestive system absorbs. Because of the complex and aggressive nature of this procedure, BPD/DS is typically reserved for patients with an extremely high BMI.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB):
A very common surgical weight loss procedure that combines restrictive and malabsorptive properties. In this minimally invasive procedure, the bariatric surgeons in our Mesa clinic reduce the size of the stomach to the size of an egg. This “new” stomach is then attached further along in the small intestine, resulting in reduced calorie absorption.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG):
As a restrictive weight loss surgery, VSG is generally considered a good bariatric surgery option for patients with a high BMI, as well as a good LAP-BAND alternative for some patients with a lower BMI. During the procedure, the bariatric surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, which causes patients to eat significantly smaller portions and feel full faster. This procedure is done laparoscopically through just a few small abdominal incisions; it typically takes just an hour to an hour-and-a-half to complete.
ORBERA Non-Surgical Weight Loss Balloon:
A “weight loss balloon” that helps patients learn to eat less and feel full faster. The ORBERA device is a small silicone balloon that is placed in the stomach via the esophagus; once in place, it is filled with a sterile saline solution. The inflated balloon takes up space in the stomach, which reduces patients’ ability to eat large portions. This procedure takes just 20-30 minutes to complete, yet patients can experience triple the weight loss results that traditional diet and exercise typically yield.
Conditions
- BMI of 40 or more
- BMI of 35 to 39.9 with one or more co-morbidity
Treatments
- Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND System)
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)
- Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
Resources
Weight Loss Strategies
Are you experiencing difficulties losing weight and keeping it off? If so, bariatric surgery may be an option for you. The Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management (locations in Phoenix and Mesa) has helped thousands of patients achieve their healthy, long-term weight loss goals through a multidisciplinary program managed by an experienced team of health care professionals.
Steward Health Care