Surgical Options

What Are My Surgical Options?

Here at the Northeast Bariatric Center, we present you with options so that, together, we can find the bariatric surgical procedure that’s a right fit for you. Dr. Michael Bono and his bariatric team are compassionate to your needs and concerns. They work collectively and efficiently to design a program that will help you discover a new life postsurgery, a life that leaves you feeling energetic, confident and, above all, healthy.

Adjustable Gastric Banding

The adjustable lap bands were designed with your safety and comfort in mind. They’re strong, flexible silicone structures that are made entirely of biocompatible materials. The adjustable bands divide the stomach into two parts: a small upper pouch and a lower stomach. The upper pouch can hold approximately 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of food at a time, which leaves you feeling full sooner and longer. This results in less food consumed at once and makes it much easier for you to engage in healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Postsurgery, a patient generally will lose between 28-80% of their excess body weight within three years. The benefits of the adjustable lap band include: a range of improvements in physical and emotional health, smaller incisions and less tissue trauma because it is done laparoscopically, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain. Adjustable lap band patients will return for a check-up 2 weeks after surgery and every 4 to 6 weeks as needed based on satiety. Patients would then follow-up annually. For more information or to view an illustration of lap band surgery, click here.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery combines the creation of a small stomach pouch to restrict your food intake and bypasses segments of the small intestine to malabsorption, a decreased ability to absorb calories and nutrients from food. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) is the most common surgery performed in the United States. This procedure is done in our program, primarily with a laparoscope, which is a thin telescope-like instrument for viewing inside the abdomen. This involves using small incisions and generally has a more rapid recovery time. Postsurgery, a patient can expect to lose between 60%-80% of excess weight in the first 18 months. Gastric bypass patients initially return for a follow-up anywhere from 7-14 days postoperative. Patients would then follow-up one month later and every three months after that until a year postsurgery. After 1 year, follow-ups will be annual. For more information or to view an illustration of gastric bypass surgery, click here.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is the latest surgical procedure offered at the Northeast Bariatric Center. The sleeve requires the stomach to be surgically reduced to a thin, vertical sleeve that is approximately 15 percent of the original size of the stomach. The stomach area that remains is shaped like a very slim banana and measures from 1-5 ounces. The nerves of the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact, which preserves the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. Patients feel full quicker and consume less, resulting in significant weight loss and improved health. Also, unlike other bariatric procedures, the sleeve doesn’t need any adjustments, requires less visits to the office after surgery, and is safer for higher risk patients with co-morbidities, i.e., diabetes and hypertension. Patients can expect to lose approximately 55% of their excess body weight.