Bariatric surgery

Weight loss surgery in Greater Kansas City

The journey to controlling your weight and well-being can be daunting, but at HCA Midwest Health you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our network of compassionate bariatric surgeons are here to guide you step by step on your journey toward reclaiming your health.

When you’re overweight, the physical, mental and emotional stress from carrying extra pounds can affect your general health and happiness, putting you at greater risk for serious chronic illnesses like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Bariatric, or weight loss, surgery is a powerful tool available to qualified candidates, especially those who have not achieved long-term success with other options like dieting and exercise. Our knowledgeable bariatric surgeons can help you find the weight loss option that is right for you.

Our holistic approach to your weight loss doesn’t end at the operating room door. Our experts are here to support you throughout the transition back into your daily routines. Our skilled bariatric surgeons offer the latest weight loss options, crafting a personalized treatment plan just for you. This plan involves education, nutrition guidance, meal and exercise planning and supportive programs. It's time to take charge of your health journey and discover a happier, healthier you.

Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?

Many factors can help determine if you’re eligible, including your body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related health conditions. If your BMI is 35 or higher and you have an obesity-related condition (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), or your BMI is 40 or higher, you may qualify for a surgical weight loss procedure.

BMI is a calculation of body fat based on the height and weight of an adult person. The higher the BMI, the more overweight a person is. Ideally, your BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9. Any number over that is considered overweight. BMI and weight-related health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, are key factors in determining which surgeries or nonsurgical procedures are most appropriate for each patient.

Once it is determined you meet the criteria for bariatric surgery, our expert bariatric surgeons will provide you with the latest weight loss surgery options and recommend a coordinated treatment plan that is best for you. This plan includes education, nutrition counseling, meal planning, exercise planning and support programs. To be a good candidate for bariatric surgery, you should be well-informed and motivated. You should also have the capacity to ensure participation in treatment and long-term follow-up care.

Weight loss procedures we offer

HCA Midwest Health offers minimally invasive robot-assisted bariatric surgery. Using this technology allows our bariatric surgeons to have better control of surgical instruments, which can lead to increased accuracy. Other benefits include:

• A shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Smaller, more cosmetically pleasing incisions
• Shorter recovery time
• Less blood loss
• Reduced risk of infection

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch:

This robotic-assisted procedure changes the normal process of digestion by making the stomach much smaller. The diversion allows food to bypass part of the small intestine, so you absorb fewer calories, carbohydrates and fat from the foods you eat, helping you lose weight. You will still need to commit to a healthy diet and active lifestyle if you want to maintain weight loss with this procedure.

Since you cannot absorb vitamins and nutrients naturally, you must take supplements for the rest of your life.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG):

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a newer robotic-assisted type of minimally invasive weight-loss procedure. During this procedure, the surgeon places sutures in your stomach to make it smaller. This procedure may be an option if you're significantly overweight—a body mass index of 30 or more—and diet and exercise haven't worked for you.

Endoscopic gastric sleeve surgery leads to significant weight loss. It helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat. The procedure is minimally invasive, reducing the risk of operative complications and letting you return to daily activities quickly.

Gastric balloon:

This is a non-surgical way to help people lose weight who haven’t had success losing weight with other diet programs. This procedure is a temporary tool to help an individual lose weight, the surgery is a two-part weight loss system that includes placing a soft, deflated gastric balloon through the mouth and into the stomach and then fills it with a safe saline solution until it’s the size of a grapefruit. It stays in place for six months and patients work closely with their doctor, dietitian and other specialists to develop healthier eating and lifestyle habits. After six months, the balloon is removed in a similar, non-surgical procedure. This program also includes a one-year coaching program to help you maintain your new, healthier lifestyle.

Gastric bypass:

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure is robotic-assisted, a small part of the stomach is used to create a new stomach pouch (roughly the size of an egg), which bypasses part of the small intestine. Because of this, you’ll feel fuller more quickly and you won’t be able to eat as much food at one time. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass usually takes two hours or less. You will likely stay in the hospital for two to three days after your operation and should be ready to return to full activity within two weeks.

Gastric sleeve:

This robotic-assisted procedure involves our surgeons removing about 70 percent of your stomach utilizing four to five very small incisions. The result is a stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana. With the gastric sleeve, the portion of your stomach that produces appetite-stimulating hormones will be removed. With your newly formed stomach, you will not be able to eat as much as before and will be less hungry. In turn, you’ll lose weight through decreased appetite and eating notably less.