Bariatric surgery isn’t a cosmetic procedure like liposuction or a tummy tuck. Bariatric surgery is designed for those with a body mass index equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities. Bariatric surgery is for people who have tried countless ways to lose weight, with little success and no lasting results.

The surgery is designed to helps patients lose weight by limiting the amount of food intake (restriction) and causing some of the food to be poorly digested and incompletely absorbed (malabsorption).

Today there are several surgical options for weight loss. You and your surgeon must evaluate the procedures and decide which one is right for you. Results achieved by patients must be independently evaluated and managed. Actual weight loss will vary.

Gastric bypass surgery is a combination procedure that uses both restriction and malabsorption to achieve weight loss. The most common types of gastric bypass is called the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

The LAP-BAND^® System is an adjustable silicone elastomer band that is surgically placed around the stomach. The band is designed to limit food intake, and when accompanied by dietary and lifestyle changes, the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System may promote lifelong weight loss. 

The long-range success of bariatric surgery or any treatment depends largely on the patient, who must follow a healthy, nutritious eating plan for life. No longer will you be able to tolerate candy, drink sodas or milk shakes, or eat high caloric, starchy foods. The surgery itself is designed to be a permanent procedure. As each case is different and must be independently evaluated and managed, actual weight loss will vary.

Who Is a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
To be accepted for weight loss surgery (such as gastric bypass surgery), you need to meet certain criteria.

Revisional Bariatric Surgery
While bariatric surgery provides results for many patients, some patients -- particularly those who may have had an outmoded operation performed many years ago -- may not have had the positive outcome they expected. If you have had a bariatric operation in the past, but have not achieved successful weight loss, you may be a candidate for a revisional operation.

Bariatric Surgical Risks
Bariatric surgery has risks.

LAP-BAND^® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.