Bariatric Surgery
Discover how bariatric surgery can transform your life. Our specialized procedures offer effective solutions for weight loss and improved health.​​
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery, sometimes called weight loss or metabolic surgery, refers to surgical procedures which are performed with the aim of helping patients manage obesity and the medical conditions that can be related to obesity. Today, the vast majority of these procedures are performed minimally invasively. Minimally invasive surgery is performed using a few small incisions on the abdomen where the surgeon can use a camera and instruments placed through these small incisions to perform the surgery.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a chronic disease that affects approximately 40% of Americans. In recent times, medical professionals who specialize in managing obesity have recognized that this disease is caused by many different factors, and is not just a result of eating certain foods or a lack of physical activity; we now know that a complex mechanism contributes to development of obesity and this mechanism consists of genetic, hormonal, physiologic, environmental, and psychosocial factors, to name a few. There is no cure to obesity, but there are many treatment options available to control the disease and help improve quality of life, with bariatric surgery being one of the most effective treatment strategies for patients with moderate to severe forms of the disease.
Do I qualify for bariatric surgery?
You may qualify for bariatric surgery if you meet certain criteria. This criteria is largely based off of your Body Mass Index (or BMI), which is a ratio of your weight in kilograms over your height in meters squared, as well as your medical history.
If your BMI is 40 or greater, or if your BMI is 35 or greater and you have a medical condition that can be attributed to obesity like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure requiring medications, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, or acid reflux, you may qualify for bariatric surgery.
Newer criteria suggest you may also benefit from bariatric surgery if your BMI is greater than 35, regardless of whether you suffer from other medical conditions related to obesity or not. You may even qualify if you have a BMI of 30 or greater if you also have type 2 diabetes as well.
What bariatric procedures do the surgeons at Minnesota Surgical Specialists offer?
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces the size of your stomach, promoting weight loss and better health. The surgeon performs the operation using surgical staplers that seal the tissue and cut between those sealed portions to remove about 70-80% of your stomach.
Gastric Bypass
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery alters your digestive system to limit food intake and nutrient absorption, aiding in significant weight loss. In this operation, the top of your stomach is made into a small pouch, and the rest of your stomach and the first part of your intestine is "bypassed" or rerouted to a lower portion of the intestine.
Surgical Revisions
Some patients who have already had bariatric surgery in the past may benefit from a surgical revision. In these procedures, the surgeon may convert your anatomy from one procedure to another. Revisions may be performed for various reasons, including fixing problems related to an previous bariatric operation, or to enhance weight loss outcomes.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is an incisionless weight loss procedure performed completely through the mouth. The surgeon uses a specialized flexible camera with a suturing device to place several sutures inside your stomach and shrink its size by approximately 75%. This results in feelings of fullness with smaller portions. This procedure is typically favored in patients with earlier stages of obesity who are looking for faster recovery and a quick return to regular activities.
Intragastric balloon
The intragastric balloon is a medical weight loss device that is placed within the stomach through the mouth with the aid of a flexible camera called an endoscope. No incisions are performed for this procedure. The balloon helps patients feel full with small portions, which can assist with modest weight loss. The balloon is then removed after 6 months. This is a temporary weight loss treatment offered to people with milder forms of obesity aimed at helping people kick start their weight loss journey.
How can I get bariatric surgery and other weight loss procedures at Minnesota Surgical Specialists?
At Minnesota Surgical Specialists, we have an entire team of specialists ready to help you in your weight loss journey. We offer bariatric surgery through the Bhatti Weight Loss bariatric surgery program. Our registered dietitians provide nutritional education in preparation for your procedure. Our bariatric coordinator and receptionist will help you schedule all your appointments and your surgery at our facilities. Your surgeon will meet with you during the preoperative consultation and follow up visits, and they will outline your surgical plan and take time answering your questions. We know surgical procedures can be daunting, and our team strives to ensure your entire experience - from preop to postop - is a comfortable one.
Does Minnesota Surgical Specialists accept insurance for bariatric surgeries?
We accept most insurance plans for bariatric surgery. Some insurance plans do not cover bariatric surgery, even if you are a good candidate; it is always a good idea to call your insurance company and see if your plan would cover bariatric surgery and what the individual plan requirements may be. Our team will work with your insurance company to help you figure this out and to outline what your preoperative requirements may be. If you have insurance coverage for bariatric surgery and are a candidate, we will help you create a checklist of all the items you must complete prior to your insurance plan approving you for your operation.
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Please note: endoscopic weight loss procedures such as intragastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty are not typically covered by health insurance plans.
If I don't have insurance coverage for bariatric surgery, what cash pay or finance options are available?
We recognize that some insurance plans do not offer coverage for bariatric surgery, and many patients who are great candidates for surgery may be denied coverage for these operations. If you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery and would like to take this next step in your journey to a healthier life, we have both cash pay and finance options available through both our ambulatory surgery center affiliates and our affiliated hospital program. Call us today to learn about your options.