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To learn more about
bariatric surgery, contact
us at 707.967.9307.
Or visit our website at
.
Who is a
candidate
for bariatric
surgery?
Have a body mass index (BMI)
of 40 kg/m
2
or above.
Have a BMI of 35 kg/m
2
and
above, along with a serious
weight-related health problem,
such as type 2 diabetes, heart
disease or severe sleep apnea.
Some people with a
BMI greater than 30 kg/m
2
and prediabetes or diabetes
may qualify for adjustable
gastric band surgery.
Have been unable to lose
weight using other methods.
Are willing to make a
commitment to changing
their lifestyle.
Surgery may be
recommended for
people who:
“These procedures are tools
to help with weight loss,”
Dr. Parent says.
“But they don’t stand
alone. They are just one
part of a larger effort.”
For example, surgery can improve
blood sugar levels. This helps keep type
2 diabetes under control or makes it
disappear. Heart health can improve after
surgery, and sleep apnea can clear up.
Along with better health, patients often
enjoy a better quality of life. Bariatric surgery
and its resulting weight loss can raise
self-esteem. It may also lessen anxiety and
depression. Of course, these rewards don’t
appear overnight. That’s because surgery
itself is not a cure-all. Patients must commit
to serious lifestyle changes.
That effort begins with education. At
St. Helena Hospital, patients are required to
attend a one-hour presurgical information
session. During the session they learn more
about surgery and the different options
available. Prior to surgery, a patient must
undergo a medically supervised weight-
loss program for a minimum of three
months. These programs teach patients
how to make lifestyle changes that will
ensure success after surgery. They also
help patients lose weight before surgery.
Patients then go to several pre-op visits.
These include meetings with a dietitian, a
psychologist and the surgeon, Dr. Parent.
Dr. Parent will work with patients to choose the best procedure.
He offers three types of surgery:
Which bariatric surgery is right for you?
Adjustable gastric band surgery (AGB).
With AGB, the surgeon places a band
around the top of the stomach. This restricts the size of the opening between
the esophagus and the stomach.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).
VSG involves the removal of a large part of
the stomach. This leaves a smaller, sleeve-shaped pouch for food to pass through.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB).
This procedure involves dividing
the stomach into two pouches and rerouting the intestines.
VSG has recently gained popularity among both surgeons and patients. That’s because it
provides benefits with fewer downsides. “To begin with, it’s a shorter procedure and less
invasive,” Dr. Parent says. VSG also has the benefit of restricting food intake without affecting
nutrient absorption. Plus, it creates hormonal changes that help you stick with your diet.
This makes it easier to follow through with the healthy lifestyle changes that are crucial to
after-surgery weight loss.
These changes won’t be easy, but you don’t have to make them on your own. Over months
of follow-up, your surgeon and support team will offer ongoing support. Plus, the Center
offers a bariatric support group that meets the third Wednesday of every month. “This
process takes personal dedication,” Dr. Parent says. “But we also keep a close eye on our
patients.” Is it all worth it in the end? “It will change the rest of your life,” he says.
