Our Expert Surgeons Help You Live Your Best Life
If your goal is to lose weight for an overall healthier life, WellSpan Bariatric Surgery can help. Our team of experts offers comprehensive surgical weight loss services to patients who have:
- At least 75 pounds to lose
- A serious health condition, such as a diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea
- Struggled losing weight with diet and exercise alone
- A body mass index (BMI) over 30
Our team has years of experience helping patients lose weight safely and effectively. The WellSpan weight loss surgery team is here to guide you from the very beginning with education and support that extends long after you have achieved your weight loss goals.
As an accredited bariatric center through the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, you can be assured your experience will be safe and accommodating to your needs.
Conditions Treated
How We Can Help
For patients who have a body mass index (BMI) over 30, weight loss procedures may help you achieve a healthier weight. You will work directly with your Wellspan surgeon to achieve the safest most durable weight loss possible. Our team of dietitians, nurses and behavioral health specialists will work with you to compliment your weight loss journey.
Not sure what your BMI is? Use our BMI calculator to find out.
WellSpan offers several weight loss procedures to choose from. Our team of experts will work with you to decide which surgery is the best option for your lifestyle.
Surgical Approach
There are different ways or “approaches” a surgeon can take when performing a weight loss surgery. Each approach has its unique set of advantages and disadvantages.
Open
Traditionally, surgeons used an "open" approach to surgery, where the surgeon uses a single large incision to enter the belly. The surgeons at WellSpan rarely choose an open approach. A large incision is associated with more pain, wound complications, scarring and ultimately a longer recovery time after surgery.
Laparoscopic
At WellSpan, the preferred surgical approach is the laparoscopic approach. Surgeons who perform laparoscopic or "minimally invasive surgery" must receive intensive specialized training before they are able to offer this type of surgery. With laparoscopic surgery, several small incisions are made in the belly through which specialized surgical instruments and a video camera are inserted. The camera transmits a video from the belly to the monitors in the operating room. During the operation the surgeon watches the video on the monitor and performs the surgery using the specialized instruments. This technique allows the surgeon to perform the same operation as the open surgery but with smaller incisions, less pain, fewer complications and a quicker recovery.
Endoscopic
The endoscopic approach is a non-surgical approach, has no incisions and the procedure is done entirely through the mouth. This means there is minimal pain and a quick recovery for the patient.
Weight Loss Surgery Options
WellSpan offers many weight loss procedures, so you can choose the best procedure for you.
Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
The gastric bypass is both a restrictive and a malabsorptive procedure. The surgeon will divide the stomach into two pouches, one large and one small, limiting the amount of food you can eat. The first portion of the intestine is then cut in half and attached to the small pouch, leading to a decreased absorption of calories. As a result, you feel fuller with much less food, helping you lose weight over time.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that forms the stomach into a long pouch or “sleeve”, limiting the amount of food you can eat. Seventy-five to 80 percent of the stomach is permanently removed. Food enters the long pouch and digestion occurs through the normal process.
Modified Duodenal Switch (SIPS)
The modified duodenal switch is both a restrictive and malabsorptive procedure. The stomach is cut into a long sleeve, limiting the amount of food you can eat. The upper part of the intestine is then cut and reconnected to the lower part of the small intestine. This procedure bypasses more intestine than the gastric bypass and results in more malabsorption and weight loss.
Revision Surgery
If you had weight loss surgery in the past and are now having issues like weight gain or pain, a revision may be an option for you. Revision surgery is different for each patient. For this reason, you will meet with the surgeon to undergo testing that will help determine which revision surgery may work best for your situation.
Intragastric Balloon
The intragastric balloon is an innovative outpatient weight loss procedure available to a specific group of patients with a BMI between 30 and 40. The procedure is performed by inserting a deflated balloon into the stomach and then filling it with sterile water. The balloon is left in the stomach for six months. During this time, it restricts the amount of food that can be eaten. After six months, the balloon is removed, and the patient will continue to eat healthy foods and exercise to keep the weight off.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Not to be confused with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is available to a specific group of patients with a BMI greater than 30. The procedure is done using an endoscope that is placed into the mouth and advanced down into the stomach. The endoscope can place small stitches in a specific pattern resulting in a sleeve like shape of the stomach. The stitches reduce the size of the stomach, limiting the amount of food that can be eaten.
Physicians
Locations
Distances are estimated from zip code: 17401. Update zip code
