Developed as a treatment for people categorized as "morbidly obese," bariatric surgery is a recommended option for individuals whose excess weight can contribute to life- threatening health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancer.
The resulting weight loss has also shown to be highly beneficial for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related conditions.
Candidates for bariatric surgery include patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or patients with a BMI 35-39.9 with obesity specific comorbidities. BMI is determined through a formula based on height and weight.
The bariatric surgery option reduces the size of the stomach, allowing the patient to experience the feeling of being "full" while taking in less food. The result is usually the loss of a substantial amount of weight that stays off over the years.
A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is an inflatable silicone device that is placed around the top portion of the stomach via laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery. The band creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach that holds only about ½ cup of food, whereas the typical stomach holds about 6 cups of food. As the upper part of the stomach registers as full, the message to the brain is that the entire stomach is full. This sensation helps the person to be hungry less often, feel full more quickly and for a longer period of time, eat smaller portions, and lose weight over time.
In gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon staples off a large section of the stomach, leaving a tiny pouch. Because this small pouch can only accommodate a few ounces of food at a time, patients simply can't eat as much as they did before surgery, and they subsequently lose weight.
Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical weight-loss procedure in which the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size by laparoscopic removal of a large portion of the stomach following the major curve. The open edges are then attached together (often with surgical staples) to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach.
Some 10 to 15 percent of bariatric by-pass patients begin to regain weight three to five years as their bodies adapt to the surgery and the newly created pouch stretches. A "band-over-bypass" procedure has proven successful in treating this weight regain. It involves placing an Adjustable Gastric Band around the upper portion of the gastric pouch to regain a level of restriction and the early satiety which will aid in long-term lifestyle modification and successful and sustainable weight loss.
Peconic Bay Medical Center is rated as a Comprehensive Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery by MBSAQIP
Real Results: Before and After Case Studies
Learn more about weight-loss programs and the options of bariatric surgery. Contact:
Dr. Anish Shah
Director of Bariatric Surgery
Call for more information about any of our clinical services or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. Representatives are available on weekdays from 8am to 6pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm.
I am able to sleep without a mask and my snoring and sleep apnea have stopped (My wife is most happy about that).
Going from a size 50 to size 36, I am now able to shop for clothing anywhere, and not be limited to big men stores. I am more active and have more energy.
My entire life I felt trapped in my own body, like there was no escape. Everyone just referred to me as the "heavy set guy."
Growing up heavy, I never knew what it was like to feel confident about the way I look. Now when I look in the mirror, I am happy and confident that I look good and that makes me feel great. It's wonderful being able to buy clothes anywhere I want and not have to settle for clothes because they happen to fit.
I am happy to gain my health back. I am now able to discontinue and lower my blood pressure.
I was given a tool and each day I try my very best to use it in a positive way. I am blessed and try to surround myself with people who support me and always think positive.