Obesity is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting many Americans today. Many obese people have multiple medical conditions that are made worse by obesity. The General Surgery Weight Loss Center offers a complete program for obese patients. Our program includes an extensive evaluation process with a team of specialists whose only goal is to make you a healthy person. Along with careful follow-up, support groups, and healthy lifestyle maintenance, this program has been quite successful for our patients.

In simple terms, laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is done through small incisions. Using specialized instruments, miniature cameras with thin fiber-optic flashlights and high definition monitors, our surgeons can perform surgery through an incision that requires only a stitch or two to close.

Medical studies reveal that surgeons who are formally trained in MIS have better post-operative outcomes than those who are not. Clearly the patient reaps many benefits by choosing a doctor well-trained in these new surgical techniques. Our surgeons are fellowship-trained and board certified.

What are the advantages of MIS?

• Less pain
• Faster recovery
• Faster initial weight loss
• Lower re-operation rates
• Smaller incisions (cosmetic)
• Lower chances of a blood clot forming
• Lower overall mortality rate

Laparoscopic gastric bypass is essentially the "gold standard" for weight-loss surgery in the United States. Studies show the average weight loss is higher for patients who choose this option vs. one simply using a restrictive device (such as a band). During this procedure, after the surgeon makes a small stomach pouch a "bypass" is created which keeps food from entering parts of the small intestine. Since the body can't absorb as many calories or nutrients due to the skipping of these small intestine sections, the patient begins to experience a new pattern of weight loss.

Laparoscopic adjustable band procedure (or "lap band") involves laparoscopically placing an adjustable band around the stomach just below where the esophagus and stomach connect. The band is then adjusted through a port that lies just beneath the skin. Once in place, it separates the stomach into a large section and a small section, and has the effect of making the person feel "fuller" much more quickly than normal. Food is digested normally but less food is eaten because you feel "full" quicker; therefore the patient begins to lose weight.

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