Bariatrics and Surgical Weight-loss

For many severely overweight people, surgery is often the best and safest option for long-lasting weight-loss. Many other health problems that are associated with obesity—including Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, hypertension (high blood pressure), and osteoarthritis—may be resolved following weight-loss surgery.

Weight-loss surgery may be able to help you lose much of your excess weight. Many of our patients have reached their ideal body weight through a combination of weight-loss surgery and our comprehensive program that includes support and counseling, nutritional counseling, referrals to other medical specialists if necessary, and aftercare.

Our team of surgeons has extensive experience in performing all types of weight-loss surgeries. As leaders in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area in performing minimally invasive procedures, we are dedicated to getting you back to your life as quickly as possible. Our program is fully accredited and recognized as a Center of Excellence.

But your weight-loss journey doesn’t end with surgery. Aftercare is part of the special care you receive at Hackensack Meridian Health. You can find more information about aftercare here.

Gastric Bypass

This procedure, which is also known as the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, is considered the gold standard of weight-loss surgery. It is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the world. In this surgery, a small stomach pouch is created by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest of the stomach. Then, the first part of the small intestine is divided and the bottom end of the divided small intestine is connected to the newly-created small stomach pouch. Finally, the top portion of the divided small intestine is connected to the small intestine further down so that stomach acids and digestive enzymes from the bypassed stomach and first portion of the small intestine eventually mix with food.

The newly-created stomach pouch is much smaller, which means that it is possible to eat smaller meals and consume fewer calories. Because the smaller stomach absorbs less food and there is also a segment of small intestine that no longer has food going through it, fewer calories and nutrients may be absorbed. The rerouting of the food system produces changes in the hormones that make you feel fuller and less hungry. Many people who undergo this procedure who have obesity-induced Type 2 diabetes find that the condition is reversed after surgery.

Lap Band Surgery

In this procedure, a band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This creates a small stomach pouch above the band and the rest of the stomach below the band. With a smaller stomach pouch, a smaller amount of food will give you a feeling of fullness. The full feeling depends on the size of the opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. The size of the stomach opening can be adjusted by filling the band with sterile saline, placed through a port under the skin. The size of the opening is gradually reduced over time with additional adjustments. After this procedure, food is digested and absorbed normally. This procedure seems to reduce hunger and as a result, the amount of calories that are consumed.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

This procedure is also known as the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. It is done by removing about 80 percent of the stomach. The remaining portion of the stomach is a tube-shaped pouch that looks like a banana. The procedure works two ways. First, the amount of food (and calories) that can be consumed is reduced because the stomach is so much smaller. Second, the surgery has an effect on the hormones that control factors including hunger, feeling full, and blood sugar. Some studies show that this procedure is as effective as the gastric bypass in terms of weight loss and improvement in Type 2 diabetes.

After Surgery

We believe in giving our patients every tool and resource available in a friendly and supportive environment, designed to feel more like a home than a hospital. Bariatric patients receive nutrition support, diet and exercise guidance, help with eating habits, and more. We help you adjust to the physical and emotional changes you’ll experience after this type of surgery, so that your transformation will be lasting and healthy. Our commitment to providing you with the best possible care doesn’t stop at the surgical suite—we’re with you every step along the way as you regain your health through weight-loss.

Patients who have had weight loss procedures report improvements in their quality of life including but not limited to:

• social interactions
• psychological well-being
• employment opportunities
• economic condition
• improved quality of life
• An improvement in, or cure of, obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and high cholesterol.
• reduced dependence on medications
• improved mobility