Discover a Path to Achieving Your Goals
Weight management is a journey. And we know that sometimes it can feel like a long and tiresome process. But you can count on our care team to be with you for every high and low. Working together, we can help you reach and maintain your healthiest weight with proven solutions that address your physical, mental and spiritual needs.
For patients considering surgical weight loss, our team collaborates with the AdventHealth Bariatric and Metabolic Institute to offer minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures, support groups and more. So, no matter where you are in your journey, we're ready to help you achieve your goals.
On Your Weight-Loss Journey, We’ll Be Your Guide
Weight-loss surgery is a big decision. We want to ensure all your questions are answered, so you can be informed, prepared and confident that you’re making the best decision for your health. Download our PDF of answers to frequently asked questions about bariatric surgeries to learn more.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for Me?
Bariatric procedures, combined with healthy lifestyle changes, can help you lose weight quickly and keep it off successfully. You may be a candidate for bariatric surgery if you:
- Are age 18 or older
- Are committed to a new lifestyle
- Don’t depend on drugs or alcohol
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
- Have a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnea)
- Have already tried to lose weight through other means
We look at all of these factors and your medical history to understand which procedure could best help you achieve your weight-loss goals.
Types of Bariatric Surgery We Offer
If you’re struggling to achieve a healthy weight through diet and exercise, you aren’t alone. But here, you’ll have a skilled team by your side and access to the latest weight-loss surgery procedures. With faster healing times and minimal scarring, you can enjoy a quicker return to the life you love.
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Minimally Invasive Surgery
Our team offers the most advanced robotic-assisted and laparoscopic procedures, which mean fewer incisions, less scarring and a faster recovery for you.
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Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery has become a popular option since it doesn't involve bypassing the small intestine and has minimal long-term complications.
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Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery reduces the stomach size to one or two ounces and reroutes food away from the stomach into the first part of the small intestine.
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Revisions and Conversions
When bariatric surgery isn’t successful, we offer Lap-Band® revisions, which modify an original procedure, or conversions, which replace the original procedure with a new solution.
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Lap-Band® Evaluations
If you feel you didn't meet your goal of losing weight and keeping it off, or simply want to understand why your procedure didn’t work as you thought it would, we’re here for support and to help you understand your options.
Your North Pinellas Weight-Loss Surgeon
Rishi Ramlogan, MD, FASMBS
Board-Certified Bariatric Surgeon
Common Bariatric Surgery Questions, Answered
- What are the bariatric surgery requirements?
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There are specific criteria for bariatric surgery. You may be a candidate if you:
- Are age 18 or older
- Are not dependent on drugs or alcohol
- Are ready and willing to commit to a new lifestyle
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
- Have a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnea
- Have tried to lose weight through other means, such as diet and exercise
- Which bariatric surgery procedure is right for me?
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When you meet with your bariatric surgeon for a consultation, you’ll discuss each surgery option. Then, together, you can decide which weight-loss procedure is best for you. You’ll consider various factors, like:
- Any health conditions (like diabetes or GERD)
- Any previous attempts at weight loss
- Your BMI
- Your health history overall
- What is the cost of bariatric surgery, and will my insurance cover it?
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The coverage related to bariatric surgery depends on the type of coverage your insurance plan provides. Our care coordinators will help you communicate with your insurance company to understand what coverage your plan requires and provides.
Click here to view a full list of insurance plans accepted at AdventHealth North Pinellas.
- What are some bariatric surgery risks?
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All surgical procedures come with risks, but for most patients, the lasting benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh the risks, some of which include:
- Acid reflux
- Anesthesia-related risks
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Dilation of esophagus
- Inability to eat certain foods
- Infection
- Obstruction of the stomach
- Weight regain
Other risks may include:
- Dumping syndrome is actually an adrenaline rush caused by too many carbohydrates entering the intestine too quickly. Symptoms are palpitations, sweating and a weak-in-the-knees feeling. About 25% of patients who receive a gastric bypass will experience this. Dumping syndrome is, however, unusual for patients who’ve had a gastric sleeve procedure.
- Blood clots are a rare complication after weight-loss surgery. In fact, less than 1% of all surgical patients in the U.S. encounter this issue. Still, rest assured that our bariatric team takes every measure to keep you safe and to prevent blood clots, including making sure you’re given blood thinners during surgery and after, as well as using a compression device to ambulate every two hours while in the hospital and at home.
- How long do bariatric procedures take?
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The bariatric surgery process and average procedure time vary on multiple factors, like the type of surgery. For example, a gastric bypass procedure usually takes about two hours, and a gastric sleeve procedure may take an hour and a half.
Before your surgery, your care team will go over all the details of your procedure, including how long you'll be in the operating room, so you get answers to your specific questions.
- How rapid is weight loss after bariatric surgery?
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Weight-loss surgery can be life-changing, and post-bariatric surgery results are excellent for many people. Most patients will lose about 65% of their excess weight in 18 months (one and a half years), and most of the weight comes off in the first year. About 75% of people can successfully lose weight and keep it off long-term.
- How much excess skin will I have after surgery?
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It varies, but most patients who experience substantial weight loss will have some extra skin. Exercising to tone muscles will help to some degree. Some insurance plans consider removing excess skin cosmetic, and coverage depends on your insurance policy. We recommend you first reach your weight-loss goal and then undergo surgery to remove your excess skin if desired.
Your Home for Safe and Effective Weight Care
AdventHealth North Pinellas is recognized as one of America’s highest-rated hospitals for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group and has achieved a straight-A ranking since 2013.
Take the First Step With Our Team at Your Side
Today’s the day. Transform your life with access to our medical professionals, resources and support services. You can count on us to help you on your journey to better health. We’ll be your coach — and biggest cheerleader — on the way to success.