Surgical Options for Weight Loss
Loyola Medicine is widely recognized for its comprehensive program for medical weight loss and bariatric surgery.
The Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Care offers expert surgical options for weight loss reduction and is committed to working with you to determine the best surgery for your particular weight loss needs.
Bariatric surgery, or surgery for weight loss, is often seen as an important tool in helping people lose significant amounts of excess weight. Bariatric surgeries are done when diet and exercise haven't worked or when you have serious health problems because of your weight.
How does Bariatric Surgery work?
Bariatric surgeries make changes to your digestive system to help to change your metabolism and lose weight by limiting how much you can eat, by reducing the absorption of nutrients, or both.
Loyola’s multidisciplinary team of medical experts are nationally recognized for their expertise in the following most common bariatric surgeries:
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Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass – rerouting the small intestine to a small stomach pouch
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Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy – removing a portion of the stomach
Loyola is also an expert in the following less common bariatric surgical procedures:
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Biliopancreative Diversion
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Revision/Corrective Surgery
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Endoscopic procedure to reduce weight gain after Gastric Bypass surgery
To determine which surgery is right for you, Loyola’s multidisciplinary team of weight loss experts will work with you and take many factors into account, including:
Why Choose Loyola for Bariatric Surgery?
Regardless of your weight loss needs, experts at Loyola are committed to partnering with you to determine the best surgical options and follow-up care necessary to help you reach and maintain your weight loss goals.
Loyola is accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, making it one of Chicagoland’s premier weight loss centers.
What to Expect with Bariatric Surgery
If you qualify for weight loss surgery, your Loyola healthcare team gives you instructions on how to prepare for your specific type of surgery.
You may need to have various lab tests and exams before surgery. You may have restrictions on eating and drinking and which medications you can take.
Most weight loss surgeries are laparoscopic, meaning the surgeon makes small incisions in your abdomen, making your recovery time shorter than with larger incisions. You will likely remain in the hospital for one or two days to ensure everything is working properly before you go home.
Following your weight loss surgery, you can expect to lose a lot of weight. In addition to weight loss, bariatric surgery may help improve the following conditions:
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Asthma
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Degenerative joint disease
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Depression
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Diabetes (Type 2)
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease
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Heart disease
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High cholesterol
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High blood pressure
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Infertility, in some cases
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Migraine and pressure around the brain
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
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Sleep apnea
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Stroke risk
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Urinary incontinence when coughing, laughing or sneezing
It is important to note that surgery is not a quick fix. Whatever type of surgery you have, weight reduction will be gradual, and you will be required to make lifelong changes in your lifestyle and diet to remain successful.
You will have frequent medical check-ups to monitor your health in the first several months after weight loss surgery; these may include laboratory testing, blood work and various exams. Long-term follow-up is essential to maintaining your outcomes.
Bariatric Surgery Risks
Most people do not experience any serious problems after weight loss surgery. However, all forms of weight loss surgery are major procedures that can pose risks and side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:
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Dumping Syndrome (only for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass)
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Hernia
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Nausea
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Wound infections
Less common complications may include:
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Adverse reactions to anesthesia
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Blood clots
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Bowel obstruction
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Excessive bleeding
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Leaks in your gastrointestinal system
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Lung or breathing problems
Weight Loss Locations at Loyola
Loyola offers medical weight loss opportunities at the Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care at Melrose Park, 719 W. North Avenue in Melrose Park, while surgeries are performed at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
Weight loss seminars and support groups are available at Loyola Medicine locations. Find all locations.
