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What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery, commonly called weight loss surgery, refers to surgical procedures designed to help severely overweight or obese people achieve significant weight loss. It requires altering the digestive system to restrict how much food an individual can consume or absorb. A bariatric surgeon is a specialist who carries out bariatric surgery.

Apart from weight loss, bariatric surgery offers many other benefits. It can improve or rehabilitate obesity-related health conditions and enhance overall quality of life. However, as with any surgery, there are chances of risks and potential complications associated with bariatric procedures. 

Short-term risks include infection, excessive bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, lung or breathing problems, blood clots, and leaks in the gastrointestinal system. Some long-term risks include bowel obstruction, dumping syndrome, gallstones, hernias, hypoglycemia, acid reflux, the need for a second or revision surgery or procedure, and death.

What conditions can bariatric surgery treat?

Some of the conditions that bariatric surgery can supposedly treat or alleviate include:

• Type 2 diabetes: Many individuals with obesity also have type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery can remove excess fat and improve insulin sensitivity. It results in better blood sugar control. 
• Hypertension (high blood pressure): Obesity is a common risk factor for hypertension. Weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery can lower blood pressure (BP) and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.
• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol): Obesity often leads to elevated cholesterol levels. Weight loss from bariatric surgery can bring about improved lipid profiles and minimized risk of cardiovascular events.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Obesity significantly contributes to NAFLD. Weight-loss surgery can help with weight loss and improve liver function.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: It is a complicated condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. Bariatric surgery can cause weight loss, which may improve or eliminate sleep apnea symptoms.
• Cancer: Obesity increases the likelihood of developing a dozen types of cancer. Furthermore, it increases your risk of cancer by over 50%.

Who can undergo bariatric surgery?

You may want to consider having bariatric surgery if you:

• Fit into the category of "extremely obese" with a 40 or above body mass index (BMI)
• Have a severe obesity-related health issue, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea, and your BMI is in the obese range of 35 to 39.9

You may also be eligible for specific weight-loss surgeries if your BMI is between 30 and 34 and you have chronic weight-related health issues.

Moreover, you must fulfill specific medical requirements to be eligible for weight-loss surgery. When you visit a bariatric surgeon near you, you will probably undergo a rigorous screening process to discover your qualifications. You must also be ready to commit to permanent changes and follow-up plans, like dietary and lifestyle changes, to live healthier. 

Types of bariatric surgeries

There are several types of bariatric surgery, each with pros and cons. Following are some common types of bariatric surgery:

• Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass: It is an irreversible procedure where the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach. They will connect it directly to the small intestine. Bypassing the top portion of the small intestine and a portion of the stomach lowers food intake and calorie/nutrient absorption.
• Sleeve gastrectomy: This surgery removes around 80% of the portion of the stomach, leaving behind a little "sleeve" shaped pouch. With a reduced stomach capacity, individuals feel fuller more quickly and consume less food. It does not require rerouting of the intestines and needs a shorter hospital stay than other procedures.
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: This two-part surgery is very complex. It entails both sleeve gastrectomy and rerouting of the small intestine. It limits your food-eating capacity and decreases nutrient absorption. It is highly effective but poses more significant risks, like vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.

Ozempic vs. bariatric surgery

More than one-third of Americans are currently overweight, and experts warn that by 2030, over half the U.S. population could fall into this category. As traditional weight loss methods like healthy eating and regular exercise fall short for many, alternative solutions are gaining ground. Among the most talked-about are bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

So, which one works better? The answer isn't one-size-fits-all.

Before considering advanced treatments, experts recommend committing to lifestyle changes, such as balanced meals and physical activity. Moreover, patients often explore medical interventions when these efforts do not yield results.

Bariatric surgery, performed on roughly 256,000 Americans each year, includes options like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch. These procedures reduce the stomach size or alter the digestive tract to help with significant, long-term weight loss. Most are done laparoscopically, with minimal invasiveness and quicker recovery times. If you're considering bariatric surgery near you, it's essential to consult with an experienced weight loss specialist who can assess your individual needs.

Meanwhile, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are making headlines. Close to 2 million Americans are now using these medications. They mimic a natural hormone called GLP-1, which regulates appetite and helps lower blood sugar. By slowing digestion and curbing hunger, these injections can lead to 5–10% body weight reduction in many patients.

But Ozempic isn't a magic solution. Medication alone may not be enough for those with a higher BMI, especially 40 or above. This stage is where combining treatments may come in. Some patients begin with Ozempic to jumpstart their weight loss, then move on to surgery for more lasting results.

When evaluating the best option, healthcare providers also consider factors like diabetes, heart conditions, past weight loss attempts, and mental health. For individuals with fewer health complications and lower BMIs, GLP-1 drugs may be the preferred starting point.

Whether looking into GLP-1 medications or bariatric surgery near you, a tailored, expert-guided approach will offer the best path to long-term success.

What can you expect during bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia, so you'll be unconscious during the procedure. The exact details of the surgery will relate to your particular situation, the type of weight-loss surgery you're undergoing, and the practices of your hospital or doctor. Some weight-loss surgeries require traditional large incisions in the abdomen, known as open surgery.

However, surgeons today perform most bariatric surgeries with the help of a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a small, tube-shaped instrument attached to a miniature camera. The surgeon inserts the laparoscope via a small incision in the abdomen. It lets the surgeon see and operate inside the abdomen without making large cuts, potentially resulting in a faster and shorter recovery period. Nevertheless, laparoscopic surgery may only be suitable for some.

The surgery usually takes several hours. After the procedure, you'll wake up in a recovery room. The medical staff will check you for any complications here. Depending on the type of surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days.

How to find the best bariatric surgeon near you?

Choosing a skilled and experienced bariatric surgeon is vital for the success and safety of your bariatric surgery journey. It requires careful research, consultations, and discussions with medical professionals, which can be daunting. However, you can do it with Zocdoc in a few minutes!

Zocdoc helps patients find and book appointments with doctors and medical experts. Visit the Zocdoc site and sign up for a free account. Use the search bar to find bariatric surgeons in your vicinity. You will then have a list of qualified providers practicing near you. 

Remember that bariatric surgery near you can be expensive, so search for an in-network surgeon. You can use the Zocdoc insurance tracker to search for your insurance carrier's name.

If you need assistance finding bariatric surgeons who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to help. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Keep in mind that each appointment can only use one insurance plan.

You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information.

You can learn more about the surgeons by visiting their profiles. These profiles contain essential information about their educational background, board certifications, clinical interests, experience, and spoken languages. You can also find out the surgeon’s gender, the languages they speak, and whether they treat children. Additionally, browsing through the user ratings and verified reviews by previous patients will help you to make an informed decision. 

Locating top-rated bariatric surgeons is now easier! You can book in-person or online appointments with Zocdoc. Just look for the purple on the profiles of surgeons who allow such online consultations. Depending on the surgeon's availability, you can book appointments before, during, and after office hours. If the surgeon's schedule permits, you can also book appointments on weekends and holidays.

Booking appointments with bariatric surgeons near you on Zocdoc is quick, safe, and free!

Statistics related to bariatrics

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery's report highlights the estimated numbers for bariatric surgery in 2011-2021. The total number of surgeries was around 262,893, including nearly 152,866 sleeve, 56,527 RYGB, and 5,525 BPD-DS surgeries in 2021.

Obesity affects millions of people every year. Based on Healthline recent facts, all 50 states have an obesity rate of over 20% as of 2022. Over 14.7 million, or 20% of children and teenagers aged 2-19, are obese.

On average, approximately 42% of people are obese, and 30.7% are overweight, making it extremely common, which has contributed directly or indirectly to other chronic health conditions. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, type 2 diabetes affects one in ten people, and 119.9 million people have hypertension. 

Sources

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Healthline 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

Rochester Regional Health

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.