Bariatric surgery refers to a variety of weight loss surgical procedures that reduce the size of the stomach, limiting the amount of food you can consume and how you digest it. Having bariatric surgery is a life-changing commitment and a decision to be made with care.
At the Edward-Elmhurst Bariatrics and Weight Management Center, these surgeries are performed laparoscopically, a technique that uses smaller incisions, helping you recover faster with lower risk of complications.
If you are significantly overweight and concerned about the effects your weight is having on your health, bariatric surgery may be right for you.
Body mass index (BMI) is a ratio of body mass to body height that is used to determine if a person is overweight or obese. You may be a candidate for surgery if you have any of the following:
- BMI of > 40
- BMI > 35 with obesity-related medical conditions
- BMI > 30 for the Lap-Band (adjustable gastric band) with obesity-related medical conditions
Note that some insurance companies require 3-6 months of medically supervised weight management before bariatric surgery can be approved.
Learn more about weight management programs at Edward-Elmhurst.
At Edward-Elmhurst, we recognize that every patient is unique. Our bariatric specialists will carefully assess your needs, help you understand your options and collaborate with you to determine which procedure, if any, is best for you. We offer the following bariatric surgeries:
- Roux-en-y gastric bypass
- Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
- Adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band)