San Antonio Weight Loss Surgery

Texas Weight Loss Surgery>San Antonio

The idea of weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, was developed in the 1950's and has been revised over time to be a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity. The first laparoscopic gastric bypass in history was performed by Dr. Alan Wittgrove of San Diego, California (mentor to Dr. Cavazos, our medical director) in 1993. In 2005, an estimated 175,000 people in the United States underwent bariatric surgery, according to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Currently, there are three basic approaches to weight loss surgery: restrictive operations, malabsorptive operations, and operations that are a combination of the two. Restrictive procedures (such as a LapBand^Ž) simply restrict the amount of food that one can eat. Malabsorptive procedures (such as an intestinal bypass) allow patients to eat as much as they want, but the amount of food that is absorbed by the intestine is decreased. Combination procedures (such as a gastric bypass) are partially restrictive and partially malabsorptive. Some procedures give patients the feeling of satisfaction after eating just a small amount of food.

Types of San Antonio Weight Loss Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery

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At the Texas Center For Medical & Surgical Weight Loss, located in San Antonio, Tx, we perform all type of weight loss procedures including:

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

Lap Band Surgery

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

Weight Loss Revision Surgery

Contact Us, if you would like to know more about the different weight loss surgeries we perform in San Antonio, Texas

Open vs. Laparoscopic Procedures
Bariatric surgery may be performed using an open technique (larger incision) or by a laparoscopic technique. The laparoscopic technique is the preferred method for most patients. It is a "minimally invasive" approach that involves several very small incisions.
It generally results in less scarring, less pain, and a quicker recovery from surgery.

Laparoscopy Surgery	Open Surgery

Addition Weight Loss Surgery Information

Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

Am I a Candidate for Surgery

Prior Weight Loss Surgery

If you have had a weight loss surgery in the past and are still morbidly obese, you may qualify for a "revision." Some revision operations can be performed laparoscopically and some cannot, due to scarring from the prior operation. You would need to meet with one of our surgeons to discuss whether or not this would be an option for you.

Smoking

Smoking can increase your risk of having complications after an operation. If you smoke, our program internist can help you through the cessation process.

Age

There is not necessarily an upper age limit for who is a potential candidate for weight loss surgery. The risks and benefits of having an operation will need to be considered on an individual basis by your surgeon.

The youngest patients to be considered for surgery are in their teens. Studies have demonstrated that adolescents have excellent results after weight loss surgery. Careful consultation with a pediatrician and perhaps other specialists, as well as the involvement of parents, is a definite requirement. Again, the surgeon will make the determination after consideration of your medical history and input from all parties involved.