Bariatric Surgery

In certain cases, bariatric surgery offers the best option for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Baptist Nutrition and Bariatric Center offers bariatric surgical options for patients who meet clinical criteria that determines who stands to benefit most from surgery. Qualified candidates have:

Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater (about 100 pounds over ideal body weight), or BMI of 35 to 39.9 with a significant medical condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea, or reflux disease, that is made worse by obesity.
Made prior efforts to lose weight, such as diets, exercise, behavior modification or medications.
Understanding of the possible risks, benefits, and side effects of bariatric surgery.
No medical or psychiatric condition that would prohibit surgery.
Demonstrated commitment to change with realistic expectations after surgery.
No current addictive behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and/or drug abuse.

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Procedures Available at Baptist

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery uses a combination of restriction and malabsorption to reduce calories. During the procedure, which takes an average of 75 minutes to perform, the surgeon creates a smaller, egg-sized stomach pouch, using about 5 percent of your stomach and separating off the rest. The surgeon then attaches a Y-shaped section of the small intestine directly to the pouch. This allows food to bypass a large portion of the small intestine, which absorbs calories and nutrients. Having the smaller stomach causes patients to feel fuller sooner and eat less food. At the same time, bypassing a portion of the small intestine means the patient’s body absorbs fewer calories.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Adjustable gastric banding is a surgical procedure that uses restriction to reduce calories. This procedure uses two medical devices that are implanted in the patient: a silicone band and an injection port. These are connected with tubing. Adjustable gastric banding creates a small pouch of stomach above the band. When the band is adjusted properly, the patient feels satisfied with less food. Adjustments to the band can be made during office visits using a needle to inject saline solution into the band through the port.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve Gastrectomy restricts the amount of food than can be eaten by removing 85 percent of the stomach. The surgeon creates a small, sleeve-shaped stomach — larger than the stomach pouch created during Roux-en-Y bypass — about the size of a banana. The idea is to preserve the functions of the stomach while severely reducing its volume and without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption.

Baptist Surgical Director for Bariatric Surgery appeared on NBC Affiliate WLBT to discuss weightloss surgical options:

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Free Orientation Program

Baptist Nutrition and Bariatric Center offers a free orientation program for those interested in learning more about bariatric surgery. The program is offered at our Jackson location on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. To reserve a place, call 601-973-1624.

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