The TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center is a unique comprehensive program offering obesity medication management, weight loss surgery, endoscopic treatment for obesity and even surgical options for those experiencing complications from prior bariatric surgery. As a nationally recognized leader in complex weight loss surgery, the TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center is home to the largest multidisciplinary bariatric surgery team in the Tampa Bay area—and one of the nation’s busiest. Our renowned surgeons collaborate with specialists from various TGH institutes to create an individualized care plan for each patient. We are proud to offer a source of hope for many patients struggling with obesity and related health issues, including those with end-stage heart failure, kidney disease or liver disease whose excess body weight precludes their candidacy for life-saving organ transplantation.
Why Choose TGH+USF Health For Weight Loss Treatment
If you are living with obesity and its associated health effects, TGH+USF Health is here for you. Led by nationally respected leaders in weight loss surgery, our robust TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center is an academic health system dedicated to providing comprehensive bariatric care, including pre- and post-surgical support groups. Our world-class program is recognized as a Comprehensive Center with Adolescent Accreditation by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Our team is also committed to working with the ASMBS to improve access to care for patients with obesity and ensure better health insurance coverage for those who require weight loss surgery.
Bariatric Programs We Offer at TGH+USF Health
The TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center offers comprehensive weight loss surgery programs designed to help both adults and adolescents achieve lasting weight loss and improve their overall health. Led by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, obesity medicine physicians, dietitians, psychologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, exercise physiologists and bariatric navigators, each program provides specialized care, advanced treatment options and personalized support to ensure the best possible outcome for each patient. As part of our robust weight loss center, we offer several specialized programs, including:
Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery Program
In the United States, many preteens and teenagers struggle with obesity and related health issues, and some are unable to lose weight despite making healthy food choices and increasing their physical activity. In the Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program housed within the TGH+USF Bariatric Center, these young people can benefit from a full spectrum of pre- and post-operative care in a weight-inclusive environment. As an alternative to weight loss surgery, we also offer a physician-supervised weight management program designed specifically for adolescents.
Endoscopic Bariatric Program
Like traditional weight loss surgery, endoscopic bariatric procedures aim to reduce the volume of the stomach to restrict the number of calories the body can ingest and absorb. However, endoscopic surgery does not involve an abdominal incision. Instead, it is performed with a small, flexible scope inserted through the mouth and guided into the digestive tract. Our Endoscopic Bariatric Program offers this minimally invasive surgical approach that can help a patient achieve significant weight loss with minimal risk and a quick recovery.
Medically Monitored Weight Loss Program
The TGH+USF Health nonsurgical weight loss program is designed to educate and empower individuals who are committed to losing weight and improving their health. We offer a structured approach that incorporates nutrition planning, physical activity, lifestyle changes and medical guidance, making it an excellent option for those who struggle to lose weight on their own. This program is also well-suited for patients who are not eligible for bariatric surgery, prefer a less invasive option or want to explore conservative weight loss methods before considering surgical intervention. It can also be used after bariatric surgery to help the patient maintain or further their weight loss goals.
Meet Our Physicians
What Specific Bariatric Treatments Are Offered at TGH+USF Health?
The TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center offers comprehensive weight loss solutions, including the latest techniques in bariatric surgery and a physician-supervised nonsurgical weight loss program. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with each patient to evaluate their unique health profile and weight loss goals. Based on multiple assessments, including medical history, lifestyle factors and a thorough discussion of both surgical and nonsurgical options, we can help the patient choose the optimal care plan for their individual needs. Although insurance coverage for weight loss treatment can vary, TGH+USF Health has a dedicated team available to assist our patients in navigating the insurance process and exploring their options.
Minimally Invasive Weight Loss Options
Bariatric surgery has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1950s when intestinal bypass surgery was developed to reduce food intake and calorie absorption. In the 1990s, gastric bypass became widely popular due to its effectiveness in promoting significant weight loss. Over the years, the types of weight loss surgery expanded to include less invasive procedures, such as sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric bands. Today, bariatric surgery is recognized as an effective treatment for obesity and related health issues in both adults and adolescents.
Performing more than 500 surgeries each year, including 100 revisional surgeries, the board-certified surgeons in our high-volume TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center are adept at utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as endoscopy and robotic assistance, to help ensure a fast recovery, minimal scarring and the best possible outcome for each patient. We offer the latest types of weight loss surgery, including:
A restrictive bariatric procedure, sleeve gastrectomy removes up to 75% of the stomach, permanently reducing its size. The small, sleeve-shaped stomach will limit food intake and decrease the production of hunger-inducing hormones, helping the patient eat less and experience fewer cravings, both of which can lead to weight loss.
Gastric bypass involves dividing the stomach into two sections to create a small upper pouch. The surgeon will then route the pouch to a lower part of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and upper intestine. Since the new pouch can only hold a small amount of food, the patient will feel full after eating small portions, reducing calorie intake and promoting weight loss.
Also known as single anastomosis duodenal ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI), duodenal switch involves performing a sleeve gastrectomy to remove a large portion of the stomach, reducing its size to restrict food intake. Next, the surgeon will reroute the small intestine, creating a bypass to limit calorie absorption. This advanced procedure can result in significant weight loss and can be particularly effective for patients with severe obesity.
Also known as adjustable gastric banding, gastric band surgery is a minimally invasive, reversible procedure that involves placing an inflatable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. The goal is to restrict food intake by making the patient feel full after eating small portions. Over time, the band can be adjusted to help control the rate of weight loss and optimize the result.
While the surgeons in the TGH+USF Health Bariatric Center do not perform gastric band surgery, we are one of only a few hospitals that offer gastric band management. During periodic follow-up appointments, we can tighten or loosen a gastric band by adding or removing fluid, helping the patient find the optimal level of restriction for effective weight loss while minimizing any discomfort and complications.
Revisional Bariatric Surgery
In some cases, weight loss surgery leads to complications. In others, it does not achieve the desired result, despite the patient’s commitment to maintaining post-surgical lifestyle changes. In these instances, revisional bariatric surgery may be considered to adjust, convert or reperform the original procedure to address post-operative issues, such as:
- Gastric band slippage
- Significant scarring
- Malnutrition
- Ulcers
- Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Insufficient weight loss
- Weight recurrence
The types of revisional bariatric surgery include:
- Gastric band adjustment or removal
- Conversion of a gastric band to a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass
- Revision of a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass or duodenal switch
- Adjustments to a gastric bypass to address complications or enhance weight loss
- Revision of a gastric bypass due to ulcers or malnutrition
It is important to note that certain types of weight loss surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy, can be revised but not reversed.
How To Get Started
For additional information about our program and services, please contact us by telephone at (813) 844-7473 or via email at bariatriccenter@tgh.org. To ensure timely access to care, we schedule all appointments within two weeks. We also offer telehealth visits. To date, our multidisciplinary team has helped more than 7,000 patients—including several National Football League (NFL) players— achieve a healthy body weight and lifestyle, and we would be honored to include your experience in our ever-expanding collection of success stories.
When you are ready to begin your weight loss journey with TGH+USF Health, we encourage you to register for a free hour-long bariatric surgery information session, where you can ask questions and learn more about our programs. For your convenience, these educational sessions are held four days per month.
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