Our program uses a variety of surgical procedures, including Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Band.

• Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
• Laparoscopic Adjustable Band
• Risks of Bariatric Surgery

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

We perform the Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery either through an abdominal incision or through laparoscopy (6 small incisions). Your surgeon will decide which approach is appropriate for you.

Gastric bypass is major surgery and involves stapling of the stomach, turning it into a small pouch. The food channel is then diverted into the lower intestine. This technique serves as a powerful support for the alteration of eating behavior. With compliance to our program, patients achieve optimum and sustained weight loss.

The benefits from gastric bypass are:

• A feeling of satisfaction when you eat less food - a result of having a smaller stomach.
  
• Having “dumping syndrome” when you eat sweets. This helps alleviate the cravings for sweets and helps you achieve weight loss.
  
• The elimination of obesity-related medical problems such as hypertension, type II diabetes, GERD (acid reflux disease), leg swelling, sleep apnea, and joint pain.

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Laparoscopic Adjustable Band

The laparoscopic adjustable band (Lap-Band) is a silicone-inflatable band that is laparoscopically placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. The band is connected to a small port implanted under the skin. By injecting saline into the port, the surgeon can regulate the amount food you can tolerate. Adjustments are made 3-5 times in the first year.

The benefits from the Lap-Band are:

• A sense of feeling full sooner, assisting the limitation of food intake.
  
• A slower emptying of food into the digestive system, allowing you to feel full for hours after eating a meal.
  
• The ability to loosen or tighten the band according to your needs.

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Risks of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a major operation that carries significant risks. These complications occur with a very small, but unavoidable incidence:

• Bleeding requiring blood transfusion
  
• Leak of the stomach or bowel contents requiring reoperation
  
• Injury to the spleen requiring its removal
  
• Wound and abdominal cavity infection
  
• Pneumonia
  
• Respiratory failure
  
• Heart attack
  
• Blood clots in the legs and lungs (thromboembolism)
  
• Chronic nausea and vomiting
  
• Bowel obstruction
  
• Long-term vitamin deficiencies
  
• Failure to lose weight

Questions?
If you have any questions about our program, please contact us at (510) 869-8972, or by email at ABSMCWeight@sutterhealth.org.
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