Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is an effective tool for those who are obese and have been unsuccessful in losing weight through diet or exercise. Our team at the Louisiana Center for Bariatrics at Baton Rouge General are the only female fellowship-trained surgeons in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery in Baton Rouge and have an added level of expertise, insight, and experience that helps patients achieve successful outcomes through weight loss surgery.
Our program was created to set you up for success – from your initial appointment with our team to preparing you for surgery day, recovery, nutrition and dietary changes, support groups and mental health support to help guide you through the life changes that come with significant weight loss.
Do You Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?
To qualify for weight loss surgery, you must meet the following guidelines:
Diet and exercise have been unsuccessful in maintaining long-term weight loss.
You must have a BMI >35.
You have a BMI > 30 with one Obesity-Related medical condition (i.e. Type II Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea)
Bariatric surgery is considered for those with a BMI of 30 – 34.9 who do not achieve substantial or durable weight loss or obesity disease-related improvement using nonsurgical methods.
Understanding Your Surgery Options
When it comes to choosing which bariatric procedure is right for you, you’re not alone. Our care team will help with this important decision based on several personal factors, including weight, general health, other health conditions, National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines, and personal preferences.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
According to the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and the NIH, gastric bypass is considered one of the best procedures for weight-loss surgery. It is the second most frequently performed weight-loss procedure in the United States. Patients who undergo gastric bypass lose an average of 50% to 70% of their excess body weight and keep most of it off long-term.
This procedure combines restrictive eating with malabsorption, in which food is delayed in mixing with bile and pancreatic juices to help aid in the absorption of nutrients. The result is an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat.
In this procedure, a small stomach pouch is created. The rest of the stomach is not removed from the body but is completely stapled shut from the stomach pouch. The food leaves the newly formed stomach pouch and flows into the lower portion of the small intestine, thus bypassing this first part of the small intestine. This is done by cutting the small intestine open and connecting the second section with the newly formed stomach pouch. The first section is then attached to the lower portion of the small intestine (creating the “Y”in the Roux-en-Y name).
Sleeve Gastrectomy
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure (also known as the “gastric sleeve”) is the most common weight-loss surgery procedure. The reason for this procedure’s popularity is the fact that the digestive system stays largely intact, and its high success rate. Like gastric bypass, gastric sleeve patients lose an average of 50% to 70% of their excess body weight and keep most of it off long-term.
During the gastric sleeve procedure, the surgeon staples and removes the outer three-fourths of the stomach, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped or sleeve-shaped stomach. This technique shrinks the capacity of the stomach.
Duodenal Switch
The duodenal switch is a less common weight-loss operation that modifies your stomach and your small intestine. It combines a sleeve gastrectomy (removal of part of your stomach) with an intestinal bypass, which makes the path your food takes through your intestines shorter. This restricts how much food your stomach can hold, and also how much nutrition your small intestine can absorb from your food. It also reduces the hunger hormones that your stomach and small intestine normally produce. There are currently two different forms of the duodenal switch in practice. The original form is called the biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch. This is the version with the most history and research behind it. The newer version, the loop duodenal switch (or Single Anastomosis Duodenal Switch - SADI), was developed to simplify the procedure and reduce complications.
Which Surgery is Right for You?
Roux-en-Y
Gastric Bypass
Length of Surgery
90 - 120 minutes
Changes to Digestive System
A small stomach pouch is made and the digestive system is rerouted and shortened. Food moves through the body much quicker.
Risk
Patients can have a leak at the bowel connection, ulcers, intolerance to certain foods, nutritional deficiencies, hernias, or bowel obstructions.
Hospital Stay
1 - 2 days
Recovery Time
2 - 3 weeks
Recommended Time Off
2 weeks
Average Weekly Loss Rate
3 - 4 lbs
Average Excess Weight Loss
50 - 70%
Sleeve
Gastrectomy
Length of Surgery
45-60 minutes
Changes to Digestive System
Outer two-thirds of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped stomach.
Risk
Patients can have increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The stomach can leak, stricture, bleed, and you may develop hernias.
Hospital Stay
1 - 2 days
Recovery Time
2 - 3 weeks
Recommended Time Off
2 weeks
Average Weekly Loss Rate
3 - 4 lbs
Average Excess Weight Loss
50 - 70%
Duodenal
Switch
Length of Surgery
90 - 120 minutes
Changes to Digestive System
Combination of the other two procedures. The small intestine is shortened, and the stomach is reduced in size.
Risk
Patients can experience the same issues as with gastric bypass, as well as narrowing of the stomach or connection.
Hospital Stay
2 - 3 days
Recovery Time
2 - 3 weeks
Recommended Time Off
2 - 4 weeks
Average Weekly Loss Rate
Up to 5 lbs
Average Excess Weight Loss
Up to 85%
Band Removals & Revisional Surgery
Gastric Band Removal
People who have had a gastric band placed previously may need to have the band removed and/or convert to another form of bariatric surgery. Most gastric band removals can be done minimally invasively. This is a relatively easy and safe operation depending on existing complications. Following the removal of the band, most people’s stomachs return to their normal, pre-operative state. If you have developed good diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits and are able to maintain these habits following the removal of your band, you may be able to keep the weight off. Unfortunately for many people, the loss of restriction to the stomach after the band removal usually leads to an increased feeling of hunger and the ability to eat larger quantities of food. As a result, many patients who undergo removal of their gastric band revert to their pre-surgery weight, unless they decide to undergo conversion to another weight loss procedure.
Revisional Surgery
For many patients, years following an original bariatric procedure, they may need to have their sleeve or bypass revised. The most common reasons may include weight recurrence, anastomotic ulcers, hiatal hernia, severe reflux or heartburn, stricture, and dilated sleeve or gastric pouch. Revisional surgery can assist patients with these concerns by either converting the original procedure to another, such as by converting a gastric sleeve to a gastric bypass or duodenal switch, or by revising the original procedure, such as by redoing the gastric pouch to make it small again. Each revisional surgery is dependent on the specific anatomy and symptoms of the patient. Hiatal hernias can also be repaired after bariatric surgery if they develop.
Join Us for a Weight Loss Surgery Seminar
Are you thinking about weight loss surgery? Join us at one of our weight loss surgery seminars for guidance through your weight loss journey. Led by our bariatric surgeons, you will learn about the different types of weight loss surgery and what to expect before and after surgery. Click here to register.
Contact Us
Complete the contact form or call (225) 763-4903 to connect with our team at Louisiana Center for Bariatrics.