Is Bariatric Surgery Right For You?

Bariatric surgery is not one-size-fits all. At Schneck, we believe in taking a whole-health approach because it’s the best way to have long term success after surgery. We know that obesity is a disease and something that involves more than someone eating the wrong foods.

Our program goes beyond the surgical procedure. It addresses proper nutrition, mental health, and physical activity to help you take back your health. Our team will work with you to understand your specific needs and create a program that is tailored to you.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a collective term referring to several different surgical procedures intended to help patients with weight related issues. The operations’ goals are to either impact how your body can absorb nutrients, limit how much a patient can eat, or both.

Most procedures involve small incisions and use laparoscopy, or surgical instruments fitted with small cameras, to allow for quicker recovery. Patients can expect the surgery to be done under general anesthesia and most patients return home the same day.

Types of Bariatric Surgeries

At Schneck, we perform several types of bariatric surgery procedures. As a part of our program, we believe in helping patients select the surgery that will be best for them both in terms of their anatomy and long term success.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

In this procedure, 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a sleeve-like pouch. By reducing the size, the stomach can no longer hold as much food, suppressing patients’ hunger by also reducing the production of the hormone that triggers hunger.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric Bypass involves rerouting the stomach to the small intestine. The surgery decreases the size of the stomach, creating a small pouch that is then connected to the small intestine. This allows a patient’s stomach to pass food quicker and reduce the amount of food they can intake.

Who Is Eligible For Bariatric Surgery?

Eligibility for weight-loss surgery depends on the patient's health and insurance coverage. Not all patients are eligible and doctors will perform a series of tests, screening their overall health, to determine what surgery, if any, is right. Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the indicators doctors use to determine if someone is a candidate for the surgery.

Weight-loss surgery is a long term commitment, with rounds of screenings before and after to ensure everything is moving along as expected. It’s important to note that not all bariatric surgery methods are reversible and are permanent modifications.

How To Know You’re Ready For Bariatric Surgery

Most patients that seek bariatric surgery do so after attempting weight loss through traditional methods such as diet and exercise. From screening, to the surgery, to check-ups after, the program is continuously there to support the patient throughout their journey. Patients should understand that while the results are almost instantaneous, the commitment is long-term. If you’re ready to take steps towards learning more, our team at Schneck is here to help.

Weight-loss Surgery Requires a Holistic Approach

Almost 20% of all weight-loss surgeries in the US are unsuccessful long term due to patients relapsing into old habits. We’ve taken measures to ensure our patients have a long-term support system to help them.

At Schneck, a team of providers, including dieticians, surgeons, psychologists and nurses will help you understand if you’re ready to take steps towards optimal health. It’s why we’ve developed the bariatric surgery program, versus focusing just on the surgery itself. Our experienced staff know that it takes a team surrounding a patient with short and long term support to ensure success.

Ready to change your life? Attend our online Bariatrics seminar and call 812-523-5230 to begin your journey toward a healthier future.