Medical data increasingly shows bariatric surgery as an effective means of combating obesity. Baptist Health offers a variety of bariatric surgical services. These procedures can be divided into three categories: blocking procedures, restrictive procedures, and mixed procedures.

Blocking procedures focus on reducing food absorption, while also impacting stomach size. Restrictive procedures decrease stomach size, causing people to feel full after eating less. Mixed procedures combine blocking and restricting techniques, while also altering the gut-hormone levels that govern hunger.

Blocking procedures: 

• Biliopancreatic diversion—The benefits of biliopancreatic diversion are that you will feel full sooner because you will possess a smaller stomach. This procedure also changes how your stomach and small intestine work. You will absorb less calories from the food you eat.

Restrictive procedures:

• Stomach folding—The benefits of stomach folding include: the procedure is typically less expensive than other options, often results in fewer complications from malabsorption, performed laparoscopically, and no portion of your stomach is cut or removed.
• Sleeve gastrectomy—The benefits of sleeve gastrectomy are that it is minimally invasive, and it reduces the likelihood of weight-related health issues.

Mixed procedures: 

• Gastric bypass surgery—In this procedure, your doctor reduces the size of your stomach, prompting you to lose weight. Absorption is one of the benefits of gastric bypass surgery. This procedure can also help reduce your risk of high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes.
• Sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch—This procedure targets weight loss from two directions: reducing the size of the stomach and bypassing the intestines. This procedure can help with issues related to blood pressure, stroke, infertility, and heart disease.