Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment for morbid obesity and many related conditions, and now mounting evidence suggests it may be among the most effective treatments for diseases and conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obstructive sleep apnea, according to the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery.
You may be a candidate for bariatric surgery if:*
- You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more (about 100 pounds overweight)
- You have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 AND a serious obesity-related health problem such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease or severe sleep apnea
*According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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The four bariatric surgeons at UMass Memorial have a combined 26 years of experience and perform the highest volume of bariatric surgery in Central Massachusetts. In fact, our weight loss surgeons have the best safety outcomes for the more than 2,500 patients treated since 1999. As a result, our bariatric surgery program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1a Bariatric Center, the only such center in Central and Western Massachusetts.
UMass Memorial offers state-of-the-art bariatric procedures and most, including gastric bypass, are done laparoscopically, without a major incision. This means less postoperative pain and an earlier return to full activities.
Adjustable gastric banding (the "lap band" technique) is a minimally invasive procedure involving the placement of an adjustable silicone band around the upper region of the stomach to create a small pouch. In the weeks and months following the procedure, the opening of the stomach can be adjusted by injecting or withdrawing fluid from a "port" under the skin that is attached to a balloon inside the band.
Surgeons at the UMass Memorial Weight Center also offer a new surgical weight loss procedure called sleeve gastrectomy. In this procedure, a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving only a "tube" and greatly reducing the stomach's volume. This reduced volume helps to promote early feelings of fullness and reduced food intake.