Weight-Loss Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada

Many people who are seriously overweight have tried different diets, medications and professional weight-loss services for years without long-term success. Fortunately weight-loss, or bariatric, surgery from The Surgical Weight Control Center and Spring Valley Hospital can help those struggling with obesity get the long-term weight loss they need and lead a longer and healthier life.

About Weight-Loss Surgery

Weight-loss surgery helps people lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach or bypassing part of the patient's intestines. After surgery, patients eat less food to feel full and satisfied.

There is more to weight-loss surgery than the procedure itself. To be successful, patients must make major changes in their lifestyle and eating habits, including:

• Restricting the amount and types of food they eat
• Avoiding drinking liquids with meals
• Exercising regularly
• Taking vitamin and mineral supplements

Are You a Candidate for Weight-Loss Surgery?

Weight-loss surgery may be right for you if:

• You are between 18 and 65 years of age
• You are at least 80 pounds overweight, depending on other health conditions
• Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is greater than 35
• You have tried other weight-loss methods without success
• You are medically stable and physically able to withstand surgery
• You pass a psychological screening test that helps ensure you are able to comply with post-surgical behavior modifications
• You complete all required pre-operative testing

Types of Bariatric Surgery

The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Spring Valley Hospital offers both surgical and non-surgical options to help patients lose weight. 

Gastric Sleeve

The Gastric Sleeve, also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is the latest weight loss procedure. This innovative procedure is frequently chosen by potential bariatric patients. It has fewer long-term risks and doesn't require any foreign objects to be placed inside the body. Out-of-town patients also favor this procedure because of the minimal follow-up care required. Many insurance plans cover this procedure for their members.

Patients undergoing the sleeve procedure can typically expect an overnight stay in the hospital. They can normally return to work or other commitments within one week of surgery. Additionally, patients tend to have fewer long-term risks such as ulcers, hernias and nutritional deficiencies.

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding surgery is performed laparoscopically by placing an inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach. The new, small upper stomach pouch and a narrowed outlet limit the smaller stomach capacity and increase the feeling of fullness. A reduction in food intake results in weight loss.

Roux-en-Y Procedure (Gastric Bypass)

In the Roux-en-Y procedure, surgeons place a staple line across the top portion of the stomach to create a very small stomach pouch. Surgeons then connect the new stomach pouch to the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food eaten and decreases absorption of the food that is consumed.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery uses several very small incisions in the abdomen instead of a single, large incision. Surgeons operate through these incisions using a laparoscope”a fiber optic tube and a small video camera that shows the abdominal organs on a TV monitor. Patients usually feel less pain and have a shorter recovery period with laparoscopic surgery.