Frequently Asked Questions

What is morbid obesity?

A person is considered to be morbidly obese if they are 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight, have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater and have at least two obesity related high risk conditions that require medical treatment, or have a BMI of 40 or greater. To learn more about obesity, please visit "Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?".

Why weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery is an effective solution to the problem of morbid obesity but, as with any surgery, needs to be fully understood before making the commitment to proceed. Understanding the risks of surgery, which type of surgery to choose, which surgeon to perform the procedure, and where to have your operation are all choices that should be given serious consideration. Do not hesitate to consult with a trusted physician familiar with your medical history.

In general, weight loss surgery can be a good option for morbidly obese people who have tried other weight loss methods with little to no success. This site provides information on obesity, weight loss surgery, and expected outcomes. To learn more, or to ask questions about your particular situation, we invite you to attend one of our free information sessions.

Which weight-loss surgery is right for me?

Patients will sometimes ask which weight-loss surgery is best for them. Our physicians educate each patient on the different weight-loss surgery options but only you can decide which procedure is best for you. It is important to honestly evaluate your eating habits, your exercise habits and your ability to modify your life style to match with the surgical results. There are three common weight loss operations and each has unique advantages:

Laparoscopic gastric bypass (Roux-enY Gastric Bypass) has the greatest success but involves cutting and stapling the stomach and small bowel, resulting in a reduction of the volume of food and the absorption of calories one can intake. Average weight loss is 75 percent of the excess weight and stays off an average of 90 percent long term. This surgery usually requires a minimum two day hospital stay and one week of recovery time.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy involves the permanent removal of 90 percent of the stomach. It restricts the intake of food like the Lap-band procedure but doesn’t require a plastic band so there are fewer reoperations, and eliminates the risk of leaks and infection associated with the gastric band procedure. This procedure requires a minimum one to two day hospital stay and one week of recovery time.

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure, unlike laparoscopic gastric bypass, doesn’t involve stapling the stomach. This procedure results in reducing or restricting food intake so patients fill up quickly. There is a risk of reoperation in up to 25 percent of patients due to problems with the band slipping out of position on the stomach. The procedure results in a loss of about 50 percent of excess weight, however the failure rate can be as high as 5 percent of patients not losing any weight. This procedure requires a minimum of an overnight stay and one week of recovery time.

 

What is the difference between a laparoscopic procedure and an open procedure?

An open gastric bypass procedure is the traditional method of performing gastric bypass surgery that involves making an incision down the middle of the stomach, approximately 12 inches in length. This allows the abdominal walls to be pulled back, providing the surgeon to full visualization and access the abdominal cavity.

A laparoscopic procedure is minimally invasive surgical technique that requires the surgeon to make several small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon is then able to pass a microscopic camera and slender surgical instruments through each small incision. The surgeon is able to visualize the surgical area using the camera and associated video monitor, and use the small instruments to perform the surgery. The benefits of using the laparoscopic surgical technique are smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery time.

Does my insurance cover bariatric surgery?

The Tulane Weight Loss Surgery Center accepts almost all major insurers, many of which provide coverage for weight loss surgery. Each insurance plan has a unique set of benefits; the only way to determine if bariatric surgery is a covered benefit under your plan is to contact your insurer using the number provided on your insurance card. For additional information click here.

How do I get started?

It's easy! The first step is to attend one of our free weight-loss surgery seminars. Click here to register.

What happens after surgery?

Successful weight loss surgery requires a significant change in lifestyle and in the patient's approach to food and exercise. In order to maximize the benefit from weight loss surgery our center offers a Weight Loss Support Group to help you along the way.

Are there risks to bariatric surgery?

It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure. Weight loss surgery is a major decision for all potential patients to make, and they must understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities associated with their individual procedure. While weight loss surgery helps patients lose weight rapidly they must be committed to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle in order to continue losing weight and keep it off. Patients need to consider all aspects of the procedure and post-surgery requirements carefully.