Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate?
You may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery if you meet the following criteria:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater (100 pounds or more above "ideal" body weight)
- BMI between 35-40 with significant co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or sleep apnea
- Documentation of failure to lose and maintain weight loss with traditional diet programs while supervised by a physician
- Absence of any medical condition that would make the risk of surgery outweigh the benefits
- Absence of any psychological or medical condition that would preclude patient compliance to postoperative recommendations
- Determination to make necessary life-style changes and participate in long-term follow-up care as evidenced by a psychological evaluation
How does it work?
There are three different types of bariatric performed in our center― Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric sleeve resection and adjustable gastric banding.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass works by creating a small pouch closed off from the rest of the stomach to make you feel fuller faster. It also involves re-routing your small intestines, which makes the food bypass majority of the small intestines. This is both a restrictive and malabsorptive operation. Patients who have the gastric bypass lose an average of 66 percent of their excess body weight in 18 months.
The gastric sleeve resection works by removing 75 percent of the stomach, leaving a small pouch the size and shape of the banana. This procedure works through calorie restriction and changes in gastric hormones, and it will cause you to feel fuller faster and longer. Studies have shown that patients who have the gastric sleeve resection lose approximately 60 percent of their excess body weight.
The adjustable gastric band works by creating a pouch at the top portion of your stomach to make you feel fuller faster and longer. This procedure works on calorie restriction alone. It is the least invasive of the three procedures, but has the slowest rate of weight loss. Patients with the gastric band lose, on average, 1-2 pounds a week. In 24 months, the average patient has lost approximately 46 percent of their excess body weight.
Tell me about the Center for Surgical Weight Control
All of the procedures offered at the center are available laparoscopically, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND and REALIZE banding solution), gastric sleeve resection, duodenal switch and revisions. Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure in which a small incision is made, usually in or near the navel, through which a viewing tube (laparoscope) is inserted. The viewing tube has a small camera on the eyepiece. This allows the doctor to examine the abdominal and pelvic organs on a video monitor connected to the tube. Other small incisions can be made to insert instruments to perform procedures. The benefits of laparoscopy generally include decreased hospital stay and recovery time, less discomfort and less scarring.
The center offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary program that features an experienced, trained staff and includes:
- Informational lectures
- Psychological support
- Initial pre-screening
- Nutritional support
- Insurance and financial coordination
- Exercise support
- Pre-operative testing
- Monthly support groups
The decision to consider weight-loss surgery is one of the most important decisions you may ever make. It will not only impact your life, but the lives of those closest to you. Choosing the right program is equally important. The doctors, nurses, nutritionists and counselors at the Center for Surgical Weight Control are all specially trained and focused on helping you. For more information, please call the insurance coordinator, Jackie Stanley, at 304-399-4123.
What are the risks and complications?
The potential for complications is moderately high and varies depending upon which procedure you have. There are essential lifestyle changes the patient must be absolutely committed to making. Some patients need additional surgery to correct complications such as abdominal and internal hernias, and some patients develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia and osteoporosis. People who once ate freely must become very attentive to their diets, eat smaller, more nutritious meals and take vitamin and mineral supplements.
Risks associated with abdominal surgery
- Bleeding
- Shoulder pain
- Pain
- Pneumonia
- Complications due to anesthesia and medications
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Injury to stomach, esophagus, or surrounding organs
- Infection
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke or heart attack
- Death
Note: Risks are associated with any type of surgery, including abdominal surgery. These risks are greater for individuals who suffer from obesity.
Risks associated with bariatric surgery
- Abdominal hernia
- Chest pain
- Collapsed lung
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Enlarged heart
- Gastrointestinal inflammation or swelling
- Stoma obstruction
- Stretching of the stomach
- Vomiting and nausea
- Surgical procedure repeated
- Gallstones, inflammation of gallbladder, etc.
Your weight, age and medical history play a significant role in determining your specific risks. Your surgeon can inform you about your individual weight-loss surgery risks.
Learn more about the risks specific to each procedure
What steps do I take to be considered for gastric bypass surgery?
- Call your insurance company to see if the procedure you are interested in is a covered benefit under your policy. You may ask for the following CPT codes:
- gastric bypass 43644
- adjustable gastric band 43770
- gastric sleeve resection 43775
- Call the Center for Surgical Weight Control office to sign up to attend an educational seminar. These are presented by the surgeon, who reviews each procedure and the benefits and risks associated with each.
- Talk to your primary care physician. He/she will need to write a referral letter of support for your decision and will help care for you after your weight-loss surgery. Your insurance company will also require office notes from your primary care physician documenting a specific diet and specific exercise that you have attempted for a certain amount of time. Please see the insurance section for more information.
- Obtain a psychological evaluation from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. If you are not sure who to use, you may call the office and we can provide a list of phone numbers.
- Gather copies of the medical records from any past weight-loss surgeries or surgeries you have had on your stomach.
- Last updated: 11/08/2011
