Wellness Watch - Bariatric Surgery
Not every overweight person is a good candidate for weight loss surgery, but that surgery is truly life-changing for many patients. New advances have improved success rates and offer real hope for obese patients who have not had success with diet, exercise and behavior modification. The Phoebe Bariatrics team is made up of highly-skilled physicians, dietitians, physical therapists, nurses and financial counselors who work closely together to ensure long-term success for our patients.
Here are criteria that generally make a good candidate for bariatric surgery:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or;
- BMI between 35 and 39.9, with significant obesity-related medical problems
- A long-standing history of obesity with multiple failed attempts at weight loss in the past, preferably with organized, medically supervised programs
- Between 18 and 64 years of age (patients outside this age range may be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Not be actively smoking or abusing drugs or alcohol
- Commit to long-term follow up and lifestyle modifications
Want to know your BMI? We have a BMI calculator to help you determine your body mass index.
Phoebe Bariatrics is an accredited comprehensive bariatric surgery center. It earned the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program seal from the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Patients begin the bariatric program by going through a free seminar either in person or on line. You can register here.
Our surgeons offer two primary types of bariatric surgery.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy – This minimally invasive surgery removes a part of the stomach, decreasing its size by 75 – 80 percent. The remaining stomach takes on a tube or sleeve-like shape, limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time.
- Gastric Bypass – This is the most common weight loss surgery procedure. A small stomach pouch is created then connected to a short segment of the small bowel. Food passes from the esophagus to the stomach pouch and then to the bowel, completely bypassing the stomach.
We have many amazing success stories. Meet some of our patients and learn about their weight loss journeys here.