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Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is performed on patients with obesity. There are several types of bariatric procedures, but all focus on making modifications to the digestive system with the goal of significant weight loss.

Bariatric surgery in Nashville, Tennessee

At TriStar Health hospitals, our mission is to improve your quality of life and maximize your health.

For some patients, we fulfill this mission through weight management programs and treatment for obesity. If you need additional weight management support beyond healthy dieting and exercise programs, we can explore bariatric surgery options with you.

Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Understanding whether weight loss surgery is right for you is critical to your long-term wellness. As such, we offer this risk assessment to help evaluate your unique situation.

Understanding whether weight loss surgery is right for you is critical to your long-term wellness. As such, we offer this risk assessment to help evaluate your unique situation.

Weight loss surgeries we offer

There are several types of bariatric surgery, all sharing the same goals of decreasing food intake while providing maximum, rapid weight loss. Some of the surgeries we offer include:

  • Duodenal switch
  • Gastric bypass
  • Intragastric balloon
  • Revision surgery
  • Sleeve gastrectomy

Weight loss surgeries and services we offer

If you cannot lose weight through means of healthy diet and exercise, we can explore bariatric surgery as an option for weight management. We offer several weight loss services, including surgery options, with an emphasis on minimally invasive care.

Calculate your body mass index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Find out your BMI so you can fully understand your potential options for weight loss management.

Support on your weight loss journey

As a bariatric patient, you will receive ongoing support from our weight loss coaches. This includes:

  • Seminars or webinars about weight loss surgery options before you choose a procedure
  • Classes with dietitians and exercise physiologists
  • Education and counseling about diet, lifestyle changes and weight loss medication
  • Post-surgery classes or support groups to assist in maintaining a healthy weight after surgery

Weight loss management

Our medical weight-loss programs provide treatment in a clinical setting with a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor, registered dietitian and/or a psychologist. These programs offer services including nutrition, physical activity and behavioral modification counseling. Our weight loss management programs are rooted in carefully crafted activity plans and also may involve discussion of utilization of pharmacotherapy or weight-loss medications.

Weight loss surgeries

While weight loss surgery should often be treated as a last resort, for many patients, it is an absolute necessity. Knowing and understanding the risks and components of particular surgeries is beneficial for a successful weight loss journey, and they should be discussed at length with your bariatric surgeon.

Duodenal switch

A duodenal switch limits how much you can eat. The procedure involves two steps: sleeve gastrectomy followed by the connecting of the intestine to the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.

Ideal candidates for a duodenal switch include patients with a BMI that is greater than 55.

Gastric bypass

Gastric bypass limits how much food you need to feel full and allows ingested food to bypass some parts of the stomach and small intestine. This reduces the amount of calories you get from eating, and it causes gut hormones to release earlier, making you feel less hungry. This procedure is considered a treatment for metabolic syndrome and can also eliminate the need for reflux medications.

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into upper and lower pouches. Then, the small intestines are modified to connect to both stomach pouches.

Ideal candidates include patients with a BMI greater than 35 with additional conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.

Intragastric balloon

An intragastric balloon is inserted orally, guided through your esophagus and placed directly into your stomach. This is an outpatient procedure that can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.

The balloon stays in place for six months and during this time, you will fill fuller faster. The reduced intake of food helps facilitate weight loss.

Revision surgery

Revision surgery is a "corrective procedure." This means a bariatric surgeon may perform this type of operation in order to:

  • Correct issues associated with weight loss surgery, such as a slipped gastric band or an enlarged stomach pouch
  • Correct issues preventing weight loss, such as the intestines absorbing too many calories
  • Correct medical complications resulting from surgery, such as bone loss or not absorbing vitamins and minerals correctly

Sleeve gastrectomy

A sleeve gastrectomy limits the amount of food you can eat; however, unlike lap banding or gastric bypass, approximately 80 percent of your stomach ends up being removed. This achieves weight loss through reduced food intake and hormonal changes.

Like gastric bypass, ideal candidates include patients with a BMI greater than 35 and with additional conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea. A sleeve gastrectomy is also considered a treatment for metabolic syndrome.

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Thrive Blog

Read our blogs to learn about preventive care and ways you can lead a healthier lifestyle.

What to know about weight loss surgery and other options 

March 04, 2024
Tayla Holman
If you've struggled to maintain a healthy weight, discover some of the benefits of weight loss surgery and whether this option might be right for you.

What to know about weight loss surgery and other options 

March 04, 2024
Tayla Holman
If you've struggled to maintain a healthy weight, discover some of the benefits of weight loss surgery and whether this option might be right for you.

Bariatric surgery patient reflects on lifestyle change 

September 12, 2023
TriStar Centennial Center for Weight Management
When Ronald's father passed away in 2017, Ronald weighed 370 pounds. That's when he knew he wanted to make a permanent lifestyle change.