Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is performed to help patients lose weight by restricting the amount of food that the stomach can hold. Most of these procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, allowing a quicker recovery time. Some common bariatric procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric band. These procedures reduce the size of the stomach by using a band, staples, or by surgically repositioning the intestines and stomach. The long-term goal of bariatric surgery is to help the patient lose 60-80 percent of their excess weight. Patients must meet a certain criteria in order to be considered for this procedure, including a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 or 35 if the patient has a serious medical condition such a diabetes.