AdventHealth Health Hub: Get The Facts about Bariatric Surgery

Focusing on achieving a healthy weight can significantly improve your whole health. In addition to feeling better, shedding excess pounds may reduce the risk for more than 40 serious conditions in the long run, including:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Insulin resistance
• Many types of cancer
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes

How Bariatric Surgery Works

Bariatric surgeries reduce your stomach size. Food is rerouted and absorbed differently as it digests. Most candidates are about 100 pounds over their healthy, ideal weight.

Surgical Solutions for Weight Loss

You have a variety of bariatric surgery options.

Here are some general details on three:

• Sleeve Gastrectomy: During this procedure, surgeons remove up to 80% of the stomach, leading to weight loss.

• Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: This procedure is designed to make your stomach smaller. By enabling food to bypass much of the stomach and part of the small intestine, you’ll find yourself getting full quicker with less desire to eat, helping you keep the weight off.

• Duodenal Switch: This surgery removes most of the stomach and changes your small intestine to reduce how much fat it can absorb. This procedure may only be recommended if you are severely obese.

Although these are all minimally invasive, they’re still considered major surgeries. Choosing the best bariatric surgery for you can depend on several factors — your physician can help you decide on the option that’s best for you.

A Team Effort

It takes a team to lose weight and keep it off with bariatric surgery, and you are the leader.

To help prepare for surgery and long-term success, you’ll work with a dedicated care advocate who will help you connect with specialists, dietitians and providers to guide you through recovery and beyond.

About Dr. Bello

Gustavo Bello, MD, is a bariatric surgeon whose primary focus is helping patients find a successful solution to sustained weight loss. He and his team provide world-class, personalized care for patients across Central Florida.

To make an appointment, visit AdventHealthWeightLoss.com. All of our health care providers are part of the AdventHealth Care Network.