Sumter Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Donald A. Balder 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. After the surgery, what support will a patient receive in adjusting to new daily habits?

A. This is a Bariatric Multi-Disciplinary Program which involves psychological, nutritional, and educational components; as well as bariatric support groups.  We offer this multi-modal support team to allow an easy transition through all of the positive changes that will be required to achieve success.  We contract with a Registered Dietitian who sees patients by appointment through our office, and our Bariatric Nurse Specialist – Marcia Hansen-McCauley, RN fields questions by phone and e-mail daily, and holds hands daily through the process in our office.  Our Office Bariatric Liaison – Sabrina Johnson has been through the Lap Band ® procedure and this allows instant access to our patients for immediate information surrounding the entire Lap Band process.

Q. How long is the recovery period?

A. Generally, most Lap Band ® patients are back doing normal activities and even work schedules within a week or two.  Laparoscopic GBP patients generally are a week or two "slower", but not always.  Our endoscopic weight loss patients really miss very little time at all, except for a sore throat for a few days.

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

A. We actually cut and divide the old stomach and make a new stomach the size of an egg or dixie cup (restrictive component) and bypass a portion of the proximal small intestine to cause some mal-absorption which speeds up the weight loss process.

Q. What types of bariatric surgeries are there?

A. Restrictive (Lap Band and Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy and newer Endoscopic)

Mal-absorptive (Duodenal Switch, or Billiary Bypass)

Combination Restrictive with Mal-absorption like the Lap GBP.

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

A. Yes, all studies point to major weight loss reduction and loss of "cormorbidities" which include 17 major medical problems that are brought on by and caused by the body’s state of Morbid Obesity.

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

A. Lap Band® - Apex trial showed 68% excessive weight loss at 12 months post-op.  Our "non-Medicare" Lap Band ® group shows even better 12 month outcomes than those results.                                 

Lap GBP show 85% of our patients lose at least 75% of their excessive weight at 12 months.