The Bariatric Weight Loss Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center offers advanced care and resources to help you lose weight and improve your overall health. Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is typically performed on individuals who are struggling with obesity and its associated health conditions. Our team offers expertise in weight loss – and works with each individual to create a customized plan that meets your lifestyle and needs.
Obesity is a dangerous condition affecting more than 30% of Americans, and an even greater number are considered overweight. It’s more than a cosmetic concern – it’s a complex disease process that increases a person’s risk for a number of health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Many people who are considering surgical weight loss have tried multiple times to lose weight with dieting and exercise alone. However, obesity is a chronic relapsing disease which responds best to education, support and guidance from our team of weight loss specialists.
Who Qualifies for Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight loss surgery is recommended for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or a BMI of 35 or more with at least one significant obesity-related health condition – like sleep apnea, acid reflux, diabetes or heart disease. This is less weight than one may think. For example, a female who is 5’1” tall who weighs 185 pounds or a male who is 5’11” tall who weighs 255 pounds would both be candidates if they have health problems related to their weight.
Weight Loss Surgical Weight Loss Options
The Bariatric Weight Loss Center at NGMC has one of the most experienced and innovative teams throughout the region who are committed to ensuring an excellent outcome and delivering the best results. Our comprehensive weight loss program is designed to maximize each individual’s weight loss through offering patients surgical weight loss options, including:
Gastric Bypass is a minimally invasive surgical option that aids in weight loss by restricting the amount of food your stomach holds. The small intestine is then reconfigured so food can bypass most of the stomach and part of the small intestine, which limits the calories and nutrients your body absorbs. It also impacts your hormones, helping you feel fuller longer and contributes to appetite suppression.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a minimally invasive surgery where two-thirds of the stomach is removed, leaving the stomach in a tube or sleeve shape and limiting the amount of food that a patient is able to consume in a single setting. No other part of the digestive system is affected, so it allows for normal digestion and absorption. The procedure also reduces the amount of ghrelin – a hunger hormone – so your appetite is reduced, helping you lose weight.
Duodenal Switch is a more aggressive weight loss surgery similar to the reserved for individuals who are severely obese (BMI of 50 or greater) or have a BMI of 40 or greater with serious obesity-related health conditions. It addresses weight loss in multiple ways – including removing a larger portion of the stomach, rerouting food away from the upper part of the small intestine and changing the normal way bile and digestive juices break down food. The duodenal switch can produce significant weight loss and has the highest rate of diabetes remission. Patients must be managed closely to avoid serious complications of malnutrition.
Revisional Bariatric Surgery is a corrective surgery for individuals who did not achieve adequate weight loss with previous bariatric surgery or developed complications from other procedures. We accept these surgeries on a case by case basis.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is considered the gold standard for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in people who are considered morbidly obese. The procedure addresses the issues that have led to GERD while helping the patient achieve significant and sustained weight loss.
Why Choose the Bariatric Weight Loss Center at NGMC?
The multidisciplinary team at NGMC includes experienced, board-certified surgeons, medical weight loss doctors, certified bariatric nurses, registered dietitians and other support staff dedicated to your success. Our surgeons have performed more than 9,000 bariatric surgical procedures and the first robotic gastric bypass surgery in the region. As a leader in innovative techniques and complex cases, we offer the most advanced treatment options and support services that ensure safe and effective results.
Begin Your Journey Today
There are three ways to get started:
- Watch our patient education video to learn about the options offered at NGMC.
- Connect with us using our short online form.
- Call 770-219-0446 to speak with a member of our team.