Since losing weight often is not as easy as it sounds, our program is focused on addressing obesity with advanced treatment strategies, research and patient education.

Our surgeons perform the following bariatric surgeries. You must discuss with a bariatric specialist which procedure is the right one for you.

Open or Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y. First introduced in the 1960's and much enhanced over recent years, this is the most frequently performed procedure in the U.S. for weight loss patients. At St. Mary's the laparoscopic approach to the procedure is available, which is a minimally invasive technique that avoids a long abdominal incision and promotes faster healing. Not all patients are candidates for this method, but ask your surgeon.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB). A minimally invasive procedure that laparoscopically implants a device into the abdomen that restricts the amount of food one can eat at one time. The procedure can be reversed if necessary. It came out of clinical trials with the FDA in 1996 and hundreds of thousands of them have been implanted worldwide.

• A dedicated, fully trained staff in bariatric services
• Complete medical evaluation
• Specialty consultations as required
• Psychological evaluation
• Pre-operative education
• Full-service surgical care
• Dignified, supportive hospital care
• Nutritional counseling
• Referral base for exercise & fitness guidance
• Behavioral health tools & guidelines
• Support Group with well-trained facilitators AND,
• A long-term follow-up program

Patients are typically referred to the program from a number of different paths: self-referrals, physician referrals, insurance referrals and word of mouth referrals. When the patient makes a first contact with the program, the candidate is usually invited to attend a Physician Informational Meeting. During these group sessions, candidates have opportunity to learn more about obesity, including the causes, treatments and the particular surgical options available at St. Mary's Hospital. The risks and benefits of surgery are also reviewed and candidates and their families are encouraged to ask questions. Candidates who consider surgery as an option must be prepared to be mindfully committed and have understanding that weight management is a lifelong endeavor.

Numerous scientific studies have established that your genes play an important role in your tendency to gain excess weight.

Click here to read more about Surgical Procedures for Obesity.