About the Bariatric Surgery Program at Crozer

If diet and exercise have not worked for you in the past, weight loss surgery may be an option. Bariatric surgery is the most effective tool to date for achieving significant long-term weight loss.

The Bariatric Surgery Program at Crozer-Chester Medical Center views the treatment of morbid obesity as a lifelong commitment that incorporates a change in diet, exercise and permanent lifestyle changes. Physicians define a morbidly obese person as 100 pounds or more overweight or with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Those with a BMI of 35 to 40 may qualify if they have a potentially serious medical condition that could improve with weight loss.

Choosing Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery is a major surgical procedure that gives you the opportunity for a better, healthier and longer life. Bariatric surgery can improve your overall quality of life by increasing mobility, enhancing self-image and raising self-esteem. The surgery may also improve medical conditions such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and arthritis, which are often associated with obesity.

There are two categories of surgeries performed for weight loss: a restrictive and malabsorptive procedure such as the gastric bypass and a restrictive procedure such as the LAP-BAND.

Gastric Bypass

In gastric bypass, the surgeon creates a small pouch using the upper part of the stomach. The pouch (approximately the size of an egg) limits the amount and rate at which a person may eat or drink. In addition, the intestines are reorganized to separate the digestive enzymes from the food that is eaten, thereby limiting the amount of calories that are absorbed by the body.

This can be performed as a minimally invasive procedure with a laparoscope through short incisions in the abdomen, or as a traditional open surgery. Traditional open surgery involves making a 10- to 12-inch incision to access the stomach and intestines. Compared to traditional open gastric bypass, the laparoscopic technique usually shortens the recovery time and reduces the risk of wound infections. However, not every patient is a candidate for the laparoscopic approach. The final decision is determined by the surgeon.

Laparoscopic Adjusted Gastric Band, LAP-BAND

During the minimally invasive procedure, an adjustable band is placed around the upper stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to help limit and control the amount of food a patient can eat.

The LAP-Band slows digestion and allows the patient to feel full sooner and longer. Weight loss with the LAP-BAND procedure is more gradual than other approaches and usually continues over the next few years.