Surgical Procedures
Our expertise means you’ll have a full range of minimally invasive weight loss options to consider, including:
If you have questions about weight loss surgery and would like to speak to a weight loss coordinator or attend one of our free information seminars, please
register online or call 713.448.START.
How Does Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery Work?
Bariatric surgery is the clinical term for several different procedures. The procedures use one or both of two approaches to help patients lose weight and improve or resolve their obesity-related medical conditions, known as co-morbid conditions.
Restrictive Procedures
During these procedures, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch, that limits the amount of food patients can eat. The smaller stomach pouch fills quickly, which helps patients feel satisfied with less food.
Examples of restrictive procedures:
- Gastric banding
- Sleeve gastrectomy
Malabsorptive Procedures
During malabsorptive procedures, the surgeon re-routes the small intestine so that food skips a portion of it. The small intestine absorbs calories and nutrients from food, so avoiding part of the small intestine means that many calories and nutrients are not absorbed.
Combination Procedures
Certain procedures use both restriction and malabsorption. For example, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery uses a combination of restriction and malabsorption. During the procedure, the surgeon creates a small pouch. The surgeon then attaches a Y-shaped section of the small intestine directly to the stomach pouch. This allows food to bypass a large portion of the small intestine, which absorbs calories and nutrients. The smaller stomach pouch causes patients to feel fuller sooner and eat less food; bypassing a portion of the small intestine means the patient’s body absorbs fewer calories.Examples of combination procedures:
- Gastric bypass
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
These different methods work to help you lose excess weight, lower your BMI, and transform your health by resolving or improving co-morbid conditions. Weight loss surgery has many benefits that can lead to a healthier, higher quality of life.