If the initial screening determines that you are a potential candidate for bariatric surgery, you'll meet with a bariatric surgeon. After performing a thorough examination, consulting with your primary care doctor and receiving insurance approval, the surgeon may make further arrangements for surgery.

Long-term medical data, as well as the National Institutes of Health, support surgical intervention for patients approximately 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight.

These kinds of procedures fall into two main categories. The first includes those that mechanically restrict stomach capacity, thus enabling a patient to feel full after consuming less food. The second category includes those that block absorption of calories.

St.Vincent provides surgeries in both categories, and one that is a combination of both. Our experienced surgeons have performed more than 14,000 bariatric surgeries.

Surgical procedures performed at St.Vincent Carmel are:

• Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass—A new advancement allows that this procedure may be performed with open surgery or laparoscopically (minimally invasive procedure).
• Vertical Banded Gastric Bypass
• Lap-Band® System - adjustable
• Gastric Sleeve
• StomaphyX™
• ROSE Procedure
  
  After an initial consultation with one of our board certified bariatric surgeons, you and your physician will discuss whether you are a candidate for surgery and which procedure would best meet your needs.
  
  Before undergoing surgery, you will typically undergo additional assessment and receive extensive preoperative education about your surgery.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

Benefits of the laparoscopic procedure include:

• Smaller incisions
• Reduced pain after surgery
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery time
• Reduced risk of infection