Denver Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Stacie Perlman is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Bariatric Surgery.


Q. How long is the recovery period?

A. Recovery…The recovery period depends on the type of surgery and also the type of activity the patient will need to return to.  On average, an adjustable gastric band patient will require one week or less out of work.  A gastric bypass patient will need 4-6 weeks due to the higher complexity of the procedure.  A gastric band patient can usually go home from surgery the same day.  A bypass patient will stay in the hospital for 2-3 days.

Q. What is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery?

A. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is the most common weight loss surgery performed worldwide.  It has been done in various ways since the late 1970’s in the United States.  The procedure has been updated and streamlined in the last decade and is now done laparoscopically (through small incisions).  There are two parts to a gastric bypass: the restrictive pouch and the malabsorptive intestinal bypass.  A small stomach pouch is created that is about the size of a large egg.  This helps to limit the amount of food a person needs to eat to feel full.  The intestines are then "rerouted" so that the digestive enzymes that help food to absorb don’t interact with the food until further down the intestinal tract.  This allows less food overall to be absorbed.   An additional benefit to gastric bypass surgery is that hormones that contribute to insulin resistance in diabetes are also bypassed, so diabetic patients become non-diabetic very quickly after surgery.

Q. What types of bariatric surgeries are there?

A. There are many types of bariatric surgeries performed worldwide and many more are in the testing and trial phases.  There are five procedures approved for use, with three performed more commonly.  The most often performed procedures are the adjustable gastric band – a restrictive band placed around the upper stomach to reduce the amount of food needed to feel full;  the gastric bypass – a combination malabsorptive and restrictive procedure;  and the sleeve gastrectomy – a newer restrictive procedure that does not require adjustment over time.  Two additional procedures are approved: the biliopancreatic diversion or duodenal switch – a purely malabsorptive procedure that bypasses more of the intestine than the gastric bypass, and the vertical banded gastroplasty – a restrictive procedure rarely seen now, but done often in the past.  Many procedures are in the testing phase, such as  an intragastric balloon, placed without surgery in the stomach, to prevent hunger and food intake, and an intestinal sleeve designed to prevent food from contacting the walls of the intestine.

Q. Does Bariatric Surgery Typically Lead to Major Weight Loss?

A. Bariatric surgery typically leads to far greater weight loss than diet and exercise, especially in the long term.  Studies have shown that most patients with 100 pounds or more to lose will regain all of their lost weight in 5 years with diets alone.

Q. What is the average level of weight loss of each type of surgery?

A. Gastric bypass patients overall lose around 75% of their excess weight and keep it off.  Gastric band patients overall lose about 50-70% of their overall weight.  In addition, the average patient starts the process with 4-5 medical problems including high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain or diabetes and after weight loss less than one of these problems is still present.