Weight loss & bariatric surgery

Obesity can cause major health complications and reduce your quality of life. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, stroke and asthma are linked directly to obesity. For people unable to control their weight through traditional methods, Advocate Health Care provides the experience, skill and lifestyle tools necessary to help you reclaim your life through weight loss surgery.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-3-ADVOCATE or find a bariatric surgeon online.

Lifestyle changes

For many, establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle promotes weight loss that endures. These lifestyle modifications can include nutritional guidance and meal plans, stress and behavior management, weight loss monitoring, group support and exercise program.

If you find that traditional weight loss methods haven't worked for you, bariatric surgery may be an option.

State-of-the-art procedures

Advocate depends on the latest advancements in bariatric surgery to enhance recovery and lead to better outcomes.

We specialize in:

Sleeve gastrectomy: A procedure that involves removing a large part of the stomach that accommodates the excess food we eat. This part of the stomach also secretes many hormones that make us feel hungry. The remaining portion is reconfigured into a banana-shaped "sleeve." This ultimately restricts food intake and creates the feeling of “fullness” with much less food.

Gastric bypass: This surgery makes your stomach smaller, leading to less overeating. It also reconfigures portions of your digestive system so that fewer nutrients and fats from food are absorbed into the body. This is a very effective surgery to treat morbid obesity, especially for diabetics.

Duodenal switch: A two-step process that combines the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass surgeries. This operation is typically reserved for extreme cases of morbid obesity, as it combines the strengths of each surgery.

Gastric balloon: A nonsurgical bariatric procedure that involves placing a silicone balloon into the stomach, causing patients to eat less because they feel fuller faster. The balloon is removed after six months. Throughout that time, patients work closely with an exercise physiologist and a dietician to improve fitness level and encourage mindful eating. Coaching continues following the removal of the balloon.

Revisional bariatric surgery: Obesity is like other chronic diseases that may require long-term treatment. Some patients may not achieve the weight loss results they expect or regain weight after bariatric surgery. In these cases, we offer revisional surgery to get patients back on track toward their weight loss and wellness goals.

Gastric banding (restrictive) surgery: A procedure that divides the stomach into two parts using a restrictive band, which limits the amount of food a person can eat before feeling full. After the procedure, only about an ounce of food can be held in the stomach. The restrictive band is adjustable. The band includes a tube that is attached to an access port just under the patient's abdomen skin. Saline solution can be injected or removed through the port to adjust the size of a balloon in the band.

Bariatric endoscopy: For those who may not qualify for bariatric surgery or may not be quite ready to start the journey, we offer nonsurgical endoscopy to reduce the size of the stomach and to help create the feeling of “fullness” with less food. Endoscopy is often done with minimal “twilight” anesthesia and doesn’t require any incisions.

LAP-BAND (adjustable banding surgery): This minimally invasive procedure reduces your stomach's capacity, which means you won't be able to eat as much food at one time. However, you'll feel fuller faster and longer.

Hiatal hernia repair: A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of your stomach pushes up through the upper opening in your diaphragm that connects your esophagus to your stomach. This procedure reduces the stomach back into the abdomen and out of the chest and prevents your stomach from returning back into your chest.

GERD/Transoral incisionless fundoplication: Transoral incisionless fundoplication is a laparoscopic surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic acid reflux. The procedure involves reducing the size of the hiatus – the valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach and mouth – and wrapping the esophagus to restore the proper angle between the stomach and mouth to prevent reflux.

Things to consider before bariatric surgery

Undergoing bariatric surgery is a serious decision, in part because it carries a risk of complications. Weight loss procedures are advised only when a person meets certain criteria. Discuss your options with your doctor.

Considerations before bariatric surgery should include:

• Health history and obesity-related health conditions
• Commitment to new habits and follow-up care
• Weight and body mass index (BMI)
• Typically, a BMI of 40 or more or between 35 and 39.9 in addition to a serious obesity-related health problem

Before your bariatric surgery, you’ll see your surgeon for personalized guidelines to prepare for surgery, and to answer your questions and concerns. You’ll also meet with a dietitian and an exercise specialist. You may bring a family member or friend to your appointment.

Things to consider after bariatric surgery

Following surgery, most people begin to lose weight rapidly and continue to do so for up to two years after the procedure when weight loss tapers off. This extensive and permanent weight loss can lead to:

• Chances of dying prematurely from obesity reduced to approximately the same as the average population
• An approximately 90% reduction in obesity-related co-morbid factors including back pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, urinary leakage and sleep apnea.
• More energy and mobility

In the first year after a bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, you’ll see your physician for follow up appointments at one week, one month, three months, six months, nine months and one year. You’ll only need to come in for monthly follow up appointments if you get the lap band procedure for adjustments.

The second year after your bariatric surgery you’ll come in for an appointment every four months. After that, you’ll see your doctor every six months to a year for life-long weight maintenance. Specific calculated surgical weight loss goals can be discussed during your visits.