Dignity Health Bariatrics

Minimally invasive bariatric surgery is a group of advanced weight loss procedures performed through small incisions using laparoscopic or robot-assisted techniques. These modern techniques use smaller incisions than traditional open surgery, which helps you heal. Other benefits of minimally invasive bariatric surgery can include:

• Faster recovery

• Less pain after surgery

• Lower risk of infection

• Smaller scars

You may be eligible for bariatric surgery if your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or greater and you experience one or more of these health issues:

• Arthritis

• Difficulty losing weight through traditional methods and willingness to commit to long-term dietary and exercise habits

• Morbid obesity

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• High cholesterol

• Sleep apnea

• Type 2 diabetes

Find out if you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery

Yes, our team is eager to help you find the weight loss solution that’s right for you. At a free weight management consultation, we provide:

• A personalized weight loss plan: We assess your health, goals and lifestyle to create a tailored plan.

• Expert guidance with no pressure: You get guidance, answers and preliminary planning without obligation.

• Information on all your weight loss options: Learn about medically supervised weight loss programs and surgical weight loss procedures tailored for appropriate candidates.

Many insurance companies require you to join a weight loss program before qualifying for bariatric surgery. If you have questions about your eligibility, you can contact our office for a consultation. Call us at (702) 675-3240.

Your weight loss journey is unique to you. We tailor treatments and supportive care to meet your health needs, lifestyle and preferences. 

Our team gets to know you. We listen to your concerns, answer your questions and provide guidance. From consultation to postsurgery care, we use an individualized, patient-centered approach.

Gastric bypass surgery, or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is one of the most common and effective weight loss procedures. During surgery, your surgeon creates a small stomach pouch (about 2–3 ounces in size) by stapling off the upper portion of the stomach. The rest of the stomach remains in place but is separated from the pouch and no longer holds food. The small intestine is then rerouted (or “bypassed”), allowing food to skip part of the digestive tract.

Benefits of gastric bypass surgery include:

• Changes in gut hormones to increase feelings of fullness (satiety)

• Improvement or resolution of Type 2 diabetes in some cases

• Restriction in the amount of food you can consume

• Suppression of hunger and appetite

• Weight loss (often more than 50% excess weight loss)

Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve surgery, is a weight loss procedure that removes about 80% of the stomach. The remaining stomach is reshaped into a narrow, banana-sized pouch that holds much less food, helping significantly reduce the calories you can consume. Although the stomach is drastically reduced in size, it continues to function normally.

Benefits of sleeve gastrectomy include that it:

• Helps you feel full sooner and stay full longer

• Helps with weight loss

• Maintains your typical stomach function

• May help improve or resolve comorbid obesity-related diseases like diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea

• Requires fewer restrictions on foods you can eat than gastric bypass surgery

• Restricts the amount of food you can consume

• Suppresses hunger and appetite

A duodenal switch and SADI-S (single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve) are weight loss surgeries. They work by making the stomach smaller and rerouting the small intestine. This limits how much you can eat and reduces the calories your body absorbs, leading to significant weight loss.

These procedures carry a risk of nutrient deficiency, so you must take vitamin supplements and follow a specific diet for the rest of your life. They are usually recommended for people with severe obesity and related health problems who have not been successful with other weight loss methods.

Benefits of duodenal switch and SADI-S procedures include:

• Hormonal changes that help control appetite and metabolism

• Better overall health, often resolving or improving Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea

• Greater weight loss compared to other bariatric procedures

Gastric band removal is a surgical procedure to remove a previously implanted adjustable gastric band. This band, placed around the upper part of the stomach to restrict food intake, may be removed for various reasons, such as personal preference, acid reflux or the band slipping. This procedure is typically done laparoscopically (using small incisions and a camera).

Many health insurance plans cover weight loss surgery. Talk to your surgeon about health plans in your area that cover bariatric procedures. Insurance plans change periodically. You can also review our accepted insurance plans.