The most important step in weight loss surgery is getting all of the information you need about the various surgical options. Ultimately your surgeon and other physicians are your best resource for information about the procedure they will recommend to you.

When you ask a question, make sure you understand the answer. Do not hesitate to ask for a clearer explanation given in simpler language. The decision to have a weight loss surgical procedure may take several visits to their office and consultation with more than one doctor. Ask your doctor for names of other patients who have had similar procedures and who are willing to discuss their experiences, good and bad, with you.

You may choose to research weight loss surgery on your own via the Internet or through your local library. As with any search for medical information, be sure that your sources are responsible recognized experts in the field you are investigating. An excellent resource for weight loss surgery is www.weightlosssurgeryinfo.com

LAP-BAND System
Approved by the FDA in June 2001, the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is the newest and the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. more info >>

Gastric Bypass
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health, Roux-en-Y  gastric bypass is the most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the United States. In this procedure, stapling creates a small (15 to 20cc) stomach pouch. more info >>

Sleeve Gastrectomy
A sleeve gastrectomy is partial gastrectomy that involves resection of the majority of the body, fundus and antrum of the stomach, leaving a 80-120 cc “tube” of stomach adjacent to the lesser curve. It is sometimes referred to as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. more info >>