Procedures

Bariatric surgical procedures fall into two main categories:

• Those that mechanically restrict stomach capacity, thus enabling a patient to feel full after consuming less food
• Those that block absorption of calories

Ministry Medical Group Bariatric Surgery Program provides both options, plus a combination of the two. Gastric bypass surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States, due to its high success rate. Recent medical advances give patients even more options, such as:

• Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND^® & REALIZE^® )
• Laparoscopic or Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
• Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
• da Vinci^® Robotic Assisted Gastric Bypass
  
• Revisional Surgery

All of these procedures listed above can be performed using minimally invasive techniques that greatly reduce discomfort and recovery time. Laparoscopy - a minimally invasive approach to surgery of the abdomen - accomplishes traditional surgical goals with less pain, faster recovery, and happier patients. Sometimes known as "keyhole" or "pinhole" surgery, laparoscopy typically involves five to six incisions of five to 10 millimeters—just large enough to admit the passage of a tiny video camera and precision-crafted surgical instruments. Without the trauma of a long incision, both pain and healing time are greatly reduced. Related benefits of laparoscopic surgery include less need for post-operative pain medication and fewer pulmonary or gastro-intestinal complications. Most patients can rebuild strength and return to a normal life in days rather than weeks.

In some instances, instead of the multiple incisions associated with traditional laparoscopic surgery, the Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) technique is accomplished through the belly button using only one incision. In addition to potentially reducing scar visibility, the SILS technique also may eliminate the wound pain associated with multiple points of entry required by standard laparoscopic surgery. You may also benefit from a shortened recovery time from a single incision in the belly button compared to the long incision used in a traditional open procedure. Calvin Selwyn, Jr., MD, often times can accomplish Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy by using the SILS approach. 

All procedures produce significant weight loss, but must be chosen in conjunction with the surgeon to meet the specific needs of the individual patient.