Weight-loss Surgery Options
Sarasota Memorial’s Bariatric and Metabolic Health Center’s board-certified bariatric surgeons perform the most popular weight-loss surgeries, as well as revisional surgeries, which reverse or repair previous bariatric procedures. Clinical studies show 96 percent of people who have had bariatric surgery experience marked improvement or complete alleviation of over 40 related health conditions.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass 
Roux-en-Y, considered the “gold standard” in weight-loss surgery, uses the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that is attached directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large part of the stomach. The procedure restricts the amount of food that you can eat and that your body can absorb.
Advantages of gastric bypass surgery:
- Higher average weight loss than other procedures or dietary restriction methods.
- Studies show that after 10 to 14 years, most patients maintain 50 percent to 60 percent of excess body weight loss.
- Reduced or resolved associated health conditions, including back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy 
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy restricts the amount of food you can eat and also acts on a neurohormonal level. With a section of your stomach removed, leaving just a banana-sized “sleeve,” you’ll feel fuller sooner and will limit food intake. The unused portion of the stomach is removed without rerouting of intestines, so food and nutrients are fully absorbed.
Advantages of vertical sleeve gastrectomy:
- Food intake is reduced.
- In clinical studies, patients lost an average of 60 percent to 70 percent of their excess weight.
- Can resolve related health conditions like hypertension by 49 percent, sleep apnea by 60 percent, and Type 2 diabetes by up to 45 percent.
- Vitamins and nutrients are fully absorbed into the body, as there is no gastrointestinal rerouting.
Revisional Bariatric Surgery & Continuation of Care
Patients who are unable to achieve significant weight-loss from a bariatric procedure or are otherwise dissatisfied can elect for a revisional procedure. Revisional surgery reverses the initial procedure, and in some cases, a different type of bariatric procedure is performed. Our bariatric team specializes in the revision of previous gastric procedures, removal of failed adjustable gastric lap bands and conversions to other procedures for patients who have not obtained the desired results from an initial weight-loss surgery. After removal of an adjustable gastric band, for example, the surgeon and patient may decide that a gastric bypass is actually a better option.