Weight Loss Surgery

The board-certified weight loss surgeons in our Tempe clinic offer a wide range of bariatric surgeries. You will have the opportunity to learn about all of these procedures in greater depth when you attend one of our surgical weight loss seminars in Tempe. Your bariatric surgeon will discuss these procedures with you and help you decide the best strategy for your unique condition and health goals.

Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND System): 

As a laparoscopic procedure, adjustable gastric banding is minimally invasive and causes minimal trauma, allowing patients to go home just a few hours after their procedure is over. During the procedure, the surgeon puts a small saline-filled band around the upper portion of the stomach. By reducing the size of the stomach, patients eat less and feel full faster.

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): 

In this procedure (typically done laparoscopically), the bariatric surgeon removes approximately 70% of the stomach, which creates a new stomach size and shape. In addition to reducing stomach size, the intestines are re-routed to reduce the amount of calories your digestive system absorbs. Because of the complex and aggressive nature of this procedure, BPD/DS is typically reserved for patients with an extremely high BMI.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB): 

A very common surgical weight loss procedure that combines restrictive and malabsorptive properties. In this minimally invasive procedure, the bariatric surgeons in our Mesa clinic reduce the size of the stomach to the size of an egg. This “new” stomach is then attached further along in the small intestine, resulting in reduced calorie absorption.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG):

As a restrictive weight loss surgery, VSG is generally considered a good bariatric surgery option for patients with a high BMI, as well as a good LAP-BAND alternative for some patients with a lower BMI. During the procedure, the bariatric surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, which causes patients to eat significantly smaller portions and feel full faster. This procedure is done laparoscopically through just a few small abdominal incisions; it typically takes just an hour to an hour-and-a-half to complete.

ORBERA Non-Surgical Weight Loss Balloon: 

A “weight loss balloon” that helps patients learn to eat less and feel full faster. The ORBERA device is a small silicone balloon that is placed in the stomach via the esophagus; once in place, it is filled with a sterile saline solution. The inflated balloon takes up space in the stomach, which reduces patients’ ability to eat large portions. This procedure takes just 20-30 minutes to complete, yet patients can experience triple the weight loss results that traditional diet and exercise typically yield.