Find what's best for you.

San Ramon Regional Medical Center offers several types of weight loss surgery. Each type has advantages and considerations. Your medical team will review each procedure to help determine the best solution for you.

Here’s a short description of each bariatric procedure.

Bariatric Gastric Bypass

Also called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, this surgery reduces the amount of food you can eat at one time. It also reduces the number of calories and nutrients you can absorb from the foods you eat.

During bariatric gastric bypass surgery, your bariatric surgeon separates part of the stomach to create a small pouch. The pouch is then attached to a part of your small intestine. This small pouch holds less food, making you feel full faster. As food bypasses the rest of the stomach and upper part of your small intestine, you absorb fewer calories and nutrients.

Advantages:

• Tends to be a very successful bariatric surgery
• Can lead to loss of about two-thirds of your excess body weight after 2 years

Disadvantages:

• There's an increased risk of complications
• More likely to lead to nutritional problems with vitamin B12, folate and iron
• Can cause dumping syndrome

Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy

This is a type of weight loss surgery that removes up to two-thirds of the stomach. It’s also known as a gastric sleeve surgery. The surgery turns the stomach into a narrow tube that looks like a sleeve. The sleeve holds 8 oz. of food at a time, and you feel full faster. Your stomach will make less of the main hormone responsible for hunger.

Advantages:

• Less complex than a gastric bypass
• Tends to have fewer complications than gastric bypass
• Can be better at controlling hunger than lap banding
• Can lead to loss of about two-thirds of your excess weight
• Reduced risk of dumping syndrome

Disadvantages:

• Can cause or worsen existing reflux

Bariatric Revision Surgery

If you’ve had complications from a gastric band or ring or from a previous bariatric procedure, please feel free to contact the staff at San Ramon Regional Medical Center. Our medical team can meet with you to discuss bariatric revision surgery.

Weight loss surgery is generally designed for those with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is also FDA-approved for weight loss surgery in people with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have at least one obesity-related condition. Weight loss surgery is considered safe, but like many types of surgery, it does have risks. Consult with your physician about the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery.