Bariatric Surgery Options

Image: Designated Bariatric Surgery Center of ExcellenceBariatric surgery may be an option for those who are very obese and have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight through diet and exercise. The two general ways in which bariatric surgeries work are:
  • Limiting the amount of food you can eat. Whether it is a gastric banding device around the stomach or a surgically-created, smaller stomach pouch, restriction ensures that you feel satisfied with less food.
  • Limiting the number of calories and nutrients your body can absorb. During malabsorptive procedures like Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon reroutes the small intestine so that fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed.
At the St. Francis bariatric surgery center — located in Greenville, SC and convenient to Spartanburg, Anderson, and areas throughout the Upstate, SC region — our experienced team works with each patient to determine the surgical approach that best fits his or her needs. Our center has been designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

Types of Surgery

Weight loss surgery is not cosmetic surgery and does not surgically remove fat. It works in conjunction with long-term lifestyle changes, including drastic changes in diet and commitments to exercise. The main types of bariatric surgery are: Usually bariatric surgery procedures are performed laparoscopically, meaning that there are smaller scars and a faster recovery.  If necessary, these surgeries can be performed open, meaning the bariatric surgeon creates a long incision to open the abdomen and operating with traditional medical instruments. For some patients, the laparoscopic technique cannot be used due to dense scar tissue from prior abdominal surgery.

Generally, the hospital stay (including the day of surgery) can be one to two days for a gastric band, two to three days for a laparoscopic gastric bypass, and five to seven days for an open gastric bypass. Your bariatric surgeon will help you decide which bariatric surgery procedure is right for you.

Attend a Free Seminar in Greenville, SC

To learn more about bariatric surgery, attend a free orientation seminar at St. Francis. Our bariatric surgery center is located in Greenville, SC and is convenient to Spartanburg, Anderson, and areas throughout the Upstate.

Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® is a registered trademark of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Used by permission of ASMBS. All rights reserved.