Weight loss surgery in Greater Kansas City
Losing weight can feel like an overwhelming, uphill battle. Obesity can affect your health, happiness and put you at risk for chronic conditions and life-threatening diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease and stroke.
If you're affected by obesity, you know managing your weight and improving your health can be difficult. You're not alone.
At HCA Midwest Health, our caring and knowledgeable bariatric surgery team is here to help you take charge of your health. Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, treats obesity and can help reduce related health problems.
Our expert bariatric surgeons will provide you with the latest weight loss surgery options and recommend a coordinated treatment plan that is best for you. This plan includes education, nutrition counseling, meal planning, exercise planning and support programs.
To learn more or to talk with one of our doctors, you can schedule an appointment.
Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?
If you've tried to lose weight in the past but haven't been able to keep the weight off and you meet certain requirements, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. Many of these procedures are robot-assisted, which is a form of minimally invasive surgery that allows for shorter recovery times, less scarring and less blood loss.
Many factors can help determine if you’re eligible, including your body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related health conditions.
BMI is a calculation of body fat based on the height and weight of an adult person. The higher the BMI, the more overweight a person is. Ideally, your BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9. Any number over that is considered overweight.
BMI and weight-related health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, are key factors in determining which surgeries or nonsurgical procedures are most appropriate for each patient.
If your BMI is 35 or greater
If your BMI is 35 or higher and you have an obesity-related condition (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), or your BMI is 40 or higher, you may qualify for one of the following surgical weight loss procedures:
Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
This procedure is for people who are extremely obese (BMI of 50 or higher) and haven't been able to lose weight any other way. This high-risk procedure changes the normal process of digestion by making the stomach much smaller.
The diversion allows food to bypass part of the small intestine so you absorb fewer calories, carbohydrates and fat from the foods you eat, helping you lose weight. You will still need to commit to a healthy diet and active lifestyle if you want to maintain weight loss with this procedure.
Since you cannot absorb vitamins and nutrients naturally, you must take supplements for the rest of your life.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
In a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, a small part of the stomach is used to create a new stomach pouch (roughly the size of an egg), which bypasses part of the small intestine. Because of this, you’ll feel fuller more quickly and you won’t be able to eat as much food at one time. You may be a candidate for this procedure if:
- You are more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight and you have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise.
- You have a BMI of 40 or higher.
- You have a BMI of 35 or higher and have a condition such as heart disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or diabetes that is related to being overweight.
The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass usually takes two hours or less. You will likely stay in the hospital for two to three days after your operation and should be ready to return to full activity within two weeks.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is often performed on patients who are too overweight to safely undergo other types of weight loss surgery.
With this procedure, the surgeon removes a large portion of your stomach. The new, smaller stomach is about the size of a banana, which limits the amount of food you can eat at once and helps you feel fuller after smaller meals.
Your surgeon, nurse or dietitian will recommend a diet for you following surgery. Following your dietary instructions is important for your safety and to achieve maximum weight loss results.
If your BMI is between 30 to 39
If your BMI is between 30 and 39, you might be a candidate for one of the following procedures:
Endoscopic balloon placement
This is a nonsurgical weight loss procedure for those who haven’t been able to lose weight with other diet and exercise programs. A soft gastric balloon is placed in the stomach to limit how much you can comfortably eat at one time.
An intragastric balloon may be an option for you if:
- You’re ready and willing to commit to healthy lifestyle changes, get regular medical follow-ups and participate in behavioral lifestyle changes.
- You haven't had any previous stomach or esophageal surgery.
This program also includes a one-year coaching program to help you maintain your new, healthier lifestyle.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a newer type of minimally invasive weight-loss procedure. During this procedure, the surgeon places sutures in your stomach to make it smaller. This procedure may be an option if you're significantly overweight—a body mass index of 30 or more—and diet and exercise haven't worked for you.
Endoscopic gastric sleeve surgery leads to significant weight loss. It helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat. The procedure is minimally invasive, reducing the risk of operative complications and letting you return to daily activities quickly.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a surgical procedure in which surgeons place a small band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a small pouch to hold food, limiting the amount of food that can be consumed and making you feel full.
Robotic surgery
HCA Midwest Health offers minimally invasive robot-assisted bariatric surgery. Using this technology allows our surgeons to have better control of surgical instruments, which can lead to increased accuracy. Other benefits include:
- A shorter hospital stay
- Less pain
- Smaller, more cosmetically pleasing incisions
- Shorter recovery time
- Less blood loss
- Reduced risk of infection
Our robotic-assisted bariatric procedures include:
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
- Gastrectomy
- Gastric bypass
- Gastric sleeve
Dr. Steve Scott on the lifesaving benefits of gastric bypass
Hear from our patients about their bariatric surgery experience
Recognition
Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery provide a full range of bariatric surgery care, including post-operative and follow-up services and patient education.
HCA Midwest has been designated for superior performance in preventing the occurrence of serious, potentially avoidable complications for patients during hospital stays.
