Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically. During the minimally invasive procedure, a surgeon reduces a patient’s stomach to the size and shape of a banana and removes the excess stomach tissue. Because the smaller stomach is a long, vertical tube, the procedure is called a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The patient’s reduced stomach functions normally but can hold only 1-2 ounces at a time. The procedure doesn’t interfere with the intestinal tract or the patient’s ability to absorb nutrients.

The surgery removes most of the cells responsible for producing the hormone that controls appetite. After the surgery, the patient experiences little to no hunger. 

You should talk with your doctor to see if bariatric surgery may be right for you. For more information, please download our helpful guides Can I Consider Bariatric Surgery? and Understanding Morbid Obesity.

Can I Consider Bariatric Surgery? Considering Bariatrics Download

Understanding Morbid Obesity Download Morbid Obesity Document

Many studies have shown that Bariatric Surgery can help severely overweight people reach and maintain their weight-loss goals better than traditional weight-loss methods.

Bariatric surgery can offer patients:

• A longer life span
• Improvement of many key health factors
• A drastically lower risk of death from

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Other life-threatening conditions