Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of several potentially serious health issues, including diabetes and heart disease. In the United States, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Many experts attribute this alarming trend to a combination of factors, including the widespread availability of inexpensive, high-calorie and tasty foods and the prevalence of increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
For some individuals, traditional weight loss strategies like making healthy food choices and increasing physical activity may not yield lasting or significant results. In these instances, bariatric surgery may offer a solution that can lead to significant, sustainable weight loss. Widely considered one of the safest elective procedures performed in the United States, bariatric surgery can also help manage or resolve obesity-related complications, further improving physical health and enhancing quality of life.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Weight Loss Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is primarily designed to address obesity. However, because it can lead to significant and sustained weight loss, many adult and adolescent patients also see improvements in:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Fatty liver disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Infertility
What Does Weight Loss Surgery Involve?
There are several types of bariatric surgery, each designed to address specific weight loss needs and medical conditions. The TGH+USF Health clinical team works closely with each patient to evaluate their unique health circumstances and determine the most appropriate weight loss approach. Surgical options may include:
Sleeve Gastrectomy
The most commonly performed weight loss procedure in the United States, the sleeve gastrectomy involves removing up to 75% of the stomach, permanently reducing its size. The resulting small, sleeve-shaped stomach will limit food intake and lower the body’s production of hunger-stimulating hormones, helping the patient eat less and experience fewer food cravings.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)
A restrictive form of weight loss surgery, RYGB involves dividing the stomach into two compartments, creating a small upper pouch. The surgeon will then reroute the newly created pouch to a lower section of the small intestine, bypassing the remaining stomach and upper intestine. Because the new stomach pouch can hold only a small amount of food, the patient will feel full after eating small portions, which can reduce calorie intake and promote significant weight loss.
Duodenal Switch/SADI
Also known as single anastomosis duodenal ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI), the duodenal switch comprises approximately 2% of bariatric operations in the United States due to its complexity. This procedure consists of creating a sleeve gastrectomy and bypassing a significant portion of the small intestine, potentially resulting in substantial weight loss.
What Are the Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery?
Bariatric surgery offers several potential benefits, including:
- Significant weight loss – Can help a patient achieve substantial and sustained weight loss
- Better health – Can improve or resolve obesity-related type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, GERD, fatty liver disease, PCOS and infertility
- Greater physical and mental well-being – Can reduce anxiety and depression and enhance mobility, energy levels, body image and self-esteem
- Increased longevity – Can increase life expectancy by reducing obesity-related health risks
It is important to note that the benefits of weight loss surgery can vary among patients, and long-term success requires an ongoing commitment to maintaining healthy lifestyle practices.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
Bariatric surgery may be suitable for a patient who has:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher with one or more obesity-related health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or obstructive sleep apnea
- A BMI of 40 or greater
- Previously attempted weight loss by planning meals, tracking food intake, increasing physical activity and making other lifestyle changes without success
- Committed to maintaining long-term dietary, exercise and behavioral modifications after surgery
To help determine if you're an ideal candidate for weight loss surgery, use our BMI calculator to find your BMI.
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare team, including a surgeon, dietitian and psychologist, can help determine if the patient is a good candidate for weight loss surgery. Although insurance coverage for bariatric treatment can vary, TGH+USF Health has a dedicated team available to help our patients explore their options and navigate the insurance process.
What Can a Patient Expect With Weight Loss Surgery?
After bariatric surgery, the patient can expect weight loss, improved energy levels and relief from obesity-related health conditions. Recovery typically involves a gradual transition to a new diet, adjustments to physical activity and follow-up appointments to monitor progress and nutritional needs.
Although the patient can expect some skin elasticity to return after bariatric surgery, significant weight loss often leads to sagging or excess skin, especially if the weight loss is rapid. The extent of natural skin shrinkage can vary based on several factors, including the patient’s age, genetics and amount of weight loss. If the skin does not tighten sufficiently, the patient might consider:
- A customized exercise program – Strength training and muscle toning exercises can help improve the appearance of loose skin.
- A tailored skin care regimen – Hydrating the skin with moisturizers and maintaining good nutrition can support skin elasticity.
- Non-surgical treatment – Skin-tightening procedures such as radiofrequency (RF) therapy, microneedling with RF, ultrasound therapy and laser therapy can boost collagen production and promote smoother, tighter skin.
- Body contouring surgery – Once the patient has reached a stable, healthy body weight (typically 12 to 18 months post-surgery), they might consider a body lift or abdominoplasty to improve the appearance of significantly loose skin.
How Effective Is Weight Loss Surgery?
For patients with obesity, bariatric surgery is among the most effective and long-lasting treatment options. As weight loss progresses in the first year after surgery, obesity-related health conditions typically show significant improvement. Moreover, many patients who rely on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines are often able to discontinue using these breathing devices altogether.
How to Prepare for Weight Loss Surgery
Preparing for bariatric surgery involves several key steps to ensure a safe and effective procedure. The patient will undergo a comprehensive evaluation, which may include medical tests, nutritional counseling and psychological assessments, to ensure they are ready for the planned treatment. The care team will provide detailed preoperative instructions, such as dietary modifications, physical activity recommendations and guidelines for stopping certain medications. The patient will also be encouraged to attend pre-surgery education sessions to gain a thorough understanding of the process and establish realistic expectations.
The Benefits of World-Class Care at TGH +USF Health
If you are considering weight loss surgery, it is essential to partner with an experienced and dedicated team that offers both short- and long-term support to help ensure the best possible outcome. The TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center is the only center in the Tampa Bay area with a full in-house team of bariatric specialists, including physicians, dietitians, exercise physiologists, advanced practice providers, psychologists and bariatric navigators. Nationally recognized for our innovative, patient-focused approach, we provide a full spectrum of pre- and post-operative care—including patient support groups—led by trained staff in an obesity-friendly setting. Additionally, we are accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) as a Comprehensive Center with Adolescent Qualifications.
If you would like to learn more about weight loss surgery, please contact TGH+USF by telephone at (813) 844-7473 or via email at bariatriccenter@tgh.org to request a consultation with a bariatric specialist in Tampa, FL. To ensure timely access to care, we schedule all appointments within two weeks. We can help you explore the different types of bariatric surgery, determine if you are a candidate and explain what you can expect throughout your weight loss journey.
When you are ready to start your weight loss journey with TGH+USF Health, we invite you to register for a free, hour-long bariatric surgery information session, where you can ask questions and learn more about our program. To accommodate your schedule, we offer these educational sessions four days per month.