Bariatric Surgical Services

For many people who have struggled with obesity, a consistent regimen of diet and exercise is simply not an effective means of weight loss. Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, may be necessary to better regulate and restrict the body’s normal digestive processes. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is a serious one and should not be taken lightly. Patients considering this type of procedure should speak with their doctors to determine if they are surgical candidates.

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Types of Weight Loss Surgery

BayCare offers multiple forms of weight loss surgery for patients in the Tampa Bay area. Each type of procedure is aimed at manipulating the digestive process and limiting the amount of food that the stomach can hold at one time, reducing hunger between meals.

  • Sleeve gastrectomy – A sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of 75 percent of the stomach, resulting in a small, tube-like section of stomach.
  • Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery – A gastric bypass procedure shortens the small intestine, thereby limiting the amount of food that can be properly absorbed.

During a laparoscopic bariatric procedure, which is a less invasive type of surgery, the surgeon will insert a tube, a camera (the laparoscope sends pictures to a computer monitor), and other small surgical instruments through several tiny incisions (as opposed to one large incision) in order to remove at least 75 percent of the stomach. Laparoscopic procedures offer a variety of benefits over traditional surgeries such as reduced postoperative pain and a quicker return to normal activities.

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Who Is a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

Patients who have tried a wide range of non-surgical weight loss treatments without obtaining results may be candidates for bariatric surgery. In general, an eligible patient will need to have a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 with at least one weight-related health condition.

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BayCare is proud to offer a variety of surgical options for weight loss to patients throughout the Tampa Bay area, including Tampa, Plant City, Dunedin, Clearwater, Winter Haven, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Riverview and the surrounding areas. To learn more about weight loss surgery, sign up for a free online information session. You can also browse our educational resources about Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery and Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery.

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