Things to know before getting gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

Many people struggle alone with their weight and health concerns long before they talk with a doctor. For some, there can be a critical point in life that brings them to seek the advice of a doctor. Often, it’s the continued challenges of a major health concern or an ongoing chronic condition. While GLP-1 weight-loss injections have become a popular tool in recent years for people trying to lose weight, a new comparison study reveals that bariatric surgery is still best for overall, lasting weight loss.

Via Christi Weight Management in Wichita, Kansas, provides services for surgical weight loss. Via Christi’s is Wichita’s first accredited program as a Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Its long-standing surgery program was established in 2002. The program is led by medical director Brent Lancaster, MD, a bariatric surgeon with Wichita Surgical Specialists, alongside the program’s nurse practitioner, Kate Clawson, APRN-C. Our team of bariatric surgeons, dietitians and weight-loss specialists work together with the goal of helping you live a healthier life. If you are ready to start your weight-loss journey, Dr. Lancaster and nurse Clawson share what you should know about bariatric surgery:

Brent Lancaster, MD and Kate Clawson, APRN-C                                                

Understand the contributing factors to your weight gain

Obesity is a complex disease. Contributing factors include: inactive lifestyle, diet, genetics, hormones, environmental influences, health conditions, psychological factors, and even lack of sleep. Many conditions that are caused or worsened by obesity are helped with bariatric surgery, such as diabetes, cardiac issues, respiratory issues, joint and neurological issues, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and fertility issues, acid reflux, fatty liver and cancer. 

According to data released by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, researchers found that bariatric surgeries led to about five times more weight loss than GLP-1 drugs.

Know if you’re qualified for bariatric surgery

Surgical weight loss is for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 40, or over 35 with qualifying comorbidities (serious obesity related conditions). BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Various BMI calculators are available online to help you know your number. Examples of qualifying comorbidities include diabetes and hypertension. 

Surgical options that are right for you

All bariatric surgeries are done laparoscopically and include Rou-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revision of previous weight-loss surgery on a case-by-case basis. Laparoscopic surgical techniques are minimally invasive, using small incisions in the abdomen and specialized instruments. Gastric bypass is particularly helpful for people who have diabetes and or reflux, whereas sleeve gastrectomy is best for individuals with a lower starting BMI and/or with previous intestinal procedures or adhesions.

How to start your weight-loss journey

The first step is to contact Via Christi Weight Management’s office. You’ll have an entire care team collaborating with you to help address the complexity and unique challenges of weight loss. First, the surgery coordinator will email you new-patient information, including an application and request for insurance information. This is followed by a consultation with a surgeon and eight weeks of behavioral and pre-surgery classes. Your orientation materials will include a checklist containing a list “to-do’s” prior to surgery, including medical evaluations, physician clearance and bloodwork. Your team includes our nurse practitioner, navigators, nurses, dietitians, psychologist, as well as your support group colleagues. If an individual's BMI is over 60, a preop weight loss goal will be set. Prior to surgery, patients will follow a two-week diet and complete pre-surgery screening. 

Managing your weight after surgery

You are supported before, during and after your weight-loss surgery. Following surgery is a one to two day hospital stay and the patient should plan to be off work for one to two weeks, or less. It will be important to get moving, and regular activities can be resumed in a couple of days. A liquid diet will be followed for the first couple of days and bariatric vitamins will be taken for life. 

Learn more about surgical weight loss at Via Christi Weight Management, or call 316-689-5232.