The Center for Weight Loss Surgery

A TEAM APPROACH

Weight loss surgery is a life-altering decision that requires careful consideration and monitoring. That’s why our Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Hialeah Hospital employs a comprehensive approach. Every patient undergoes a thorough psychological evaluation before and after surgery. Patients are also given a personal fitness plan that includes nutritional counseling and vitamin supplementation. In addition to care from our expert surgeons, the team includes trained bariatric nurses and a program coordinator who are there to guide patients through each step of the process.

Before

After

THE PROBLEM OF OBESITY

1 in 3 adults in the United States are considered obese. Obesity is defined by having an abnormally high proportion of body fat or a Body Max Index (BMI) of at least 40 or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities. This is a national epidemic and poses more than cosmetic problems. Obesity can lead to serious health risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.

A SOLUTION…

For many, dieting and exercise alone may not be enough to lose the weight. For them weight loss surgery may be an option.

WHAT IS BARIATRIC SURGERY?

• “Roux-En-Y” Gastric Bypass
  Commonly called bariatric surgery, gastric bypass is a laparoscopic procedure that reduces the size of the stomach to a small pouch that can only hold minimal amounts of food. The pouch fills rapidly and empties slowly, which causes the brain to respond with a feeling of fullness. This helps reduce caloric intake, allowing the person to lose weight.
• Lap-Band
  An alternative to gastric bypass, Lap-Band (Laparoscopic Gastric Banding) is a minimally-invasive procedure that involves placing an inflatable ring around a portion of the stomach. This creates a small pouch that helps limit the amount of food a person eats. The advantage of this procedure is that it is completely reversible.
• Gastric Sleeve
  Also called a sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure reduces the stomach to a thin vertical sleeve. As with Gastric Bypass and Lap-Band, the procedure restricts the amount of food a person can eat so that they can lose weight.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY?

Bariatric Surgery is designed for those who are 100 or more pounds overweight or who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities.

LEARN MORE

You can learn more about weight loss surgery by attending one of our free monthly seminars. We conduct seminars in both English and Spanish. For information or to attend our next seminar, please call 1-800-470-7422.