Skip to main content
Fairfield Medical Center Single Color Logo

Bariatric Surgical Treatment

Browse Additional Resources

Bariatric Surgery The Only Successful Treatment for Advanced Obesity

Bariatric patient with healthy foodObesity is now a common occurrence among Americans, with the most advanced form, termed “morbid obesity,” affecting nearly 15 million people in the United States.

At Fairfield Medical Center, we understand the strain that this condition can put on an individual, negatively impacting both health and quality of life. We’re determined to help.

Studies have shown that medical therapy (like diets, exercise and medications) is largely unsuccessful in treating advanced obesity. Bariatric surgery, however, has been shown to successfully treat the condition in 80-90% of patients.

This surgery is about more than improving your health: it’s about getting your life back.

When the recommended lifestyle changes are applied, weight loss surgery offers a lifeline for millions of Americans struggling with their weight.

Surgical Mechanisms Why Weight Loss Surgery Results in Success

The Bariatric Services Team will work closely with you to decide which surgical option is best for you. No matter what procedure you decide to pursue, this process should only be explored if there is a strong commitment to making disciplined lifestyle changes. The way you live your new life will influence your success for years to come.

Bariatric surgery works by employing certain mechanisms, or tools, to change your body’s anatomy and how it works. In general, the more mechanisms a procedure offers, the more weight loss is likely to be seen. These mechanisms include:

  • This concept is at the root of all weight loss surgeries. It means that the stomach is somehow made much smaller, often decreasing its size by up to 80-90%. This can be done by creating a small pouch (like gastric bypass surgery), or by turning the stomach into a long, slender tube (sleeve gastrectomy).

    • Gastric bypass
    • Sleeve gastrectomy

  • This concept is utilized by the gastric bypass procedure. When the intestines are re-routed, the food you eat is digested differently than it used to be, and the amount of nutrients and calories you absorb is lessened.

    • Gastric bypass

  • When the intestines are re-routed and/or the stomach is made smaller, levels of certain hormones in the body are changed. These hormone changes result in reduced feelings of hunger, and can even cure certain diseases – like diabetes – within days of surgery. These changes are most notable following gastric bypass, but can occur with the sleeve gastrectomy as well.

    • Gastric bypass
    • Sleeve gastrectomy

  • This mechanism is sometimes referred to as a “side effect” of the gastric bypass procedure, but it’s actually a really effective tool for maintaining a healthy diet. After surgery, food is no longer broken down or diluted in the stomach before reaching the intestines. This means very rich foods (especially sweets) tend to irritate the intestines, potentially causing GI upset, like nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramping. Nearly all gastric bypass patients develop a desire to avoid sugary foods after surgery – even if they had a sweet tooth before.

    • Gastric bypass

     

“I feel like I’ve been given my life back.”


Millie Pritchard, Bariatric Surgery Patient

Learn more about Millie’s story here

We're Here To Help!

Let us know how we can help you take the next steps toward better health and wellness for yourself or a family member.