Gastric Bypass Surgery
Traditional and Minimally Invasive Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass Surgery involves changes to the stomach and the small intestine. Using a method called Roux-en-Y, the stomach is surgically stapled to create a small pouch, shrinking the volume of the stomach from a gallon to about two ounces. A shorter section of the small intestine is attached to the new pouch so less food is digested and absorbed by the body.
The usual outcome of this surgery results in an approximate weight loss of 100 pounds in the first nine months. There are two ways gastric bypass surgery can be performed:
- Traditional Surgery — Traditional surgery can be performed, making a 10- to 12-inch incision to access the stomach.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery — This is an alternative to traditional surgery. This procedure uses laparoscopic surgical equipment and results in less pain, a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and a lower risk of infection.
Your surgeon will determine which technique should be used for your surgery. Gastric bypass surgeries are performed at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
To learn more about what's involved, please read our Weight Loss Surgery Pre-surgical To Do List (PDF file). We also offer an interactive animation on the process - please see our Emmi information below.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites include:
- A pre-surgical evaluation including an initial weight management evaluation, labs, nutrition consultation, pulmonary consultation and psychiatric evaluation.
- A BMI of 40+, or a BMI of 35+ with co-morbidities. Please use our BMI calculator to check your BMI.
- Attending a free information session. Please see our Classes section for details.
Cost
The cost is approximately $55,000 to $65,000 for pre-evaluation and day of surgery only. Please note that insurance coverage is individual and is not guaranteed. For more details, visit our Financial Information page.
Follow-up
To help you on the road to success, visits with your surgeon, nurse practitioner, primary care and nutritionist are held regularly following surgery.
Supporting Your Weight Loss Efforts — Weight Loss Support Group
A free, monthly support group is offered for patients following surgery. All patients wanting surgery must attend a session prior to being approved for surgery. The support groups offer an information session followed by time for discussion. Please see our Classes section for details.
LAP-BAND® Surgery
Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery (LAP-BAND® Surgery)
LAP-BAND® Surgery involves the placement of a silicone ring around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach. The band is inserted laparoscopically. The surgeon makes a few small incisions into the abdominal wall and inserts hollow tubes.
The band, the surgical instruments, as well as a tiny camera, go through the tubes, allowing the surgeon to tighten the ring around the stomach. This new stomach pouch can only hold a small amount of food. The silicone ring can be adjusted throughout a person's lifetime.
The weight loss is approximately two pounds a week with an eventual goal of 100 pounds lost in the first two years after surgery.
In most cases, gastric banding is an outpatient procedure performed at the Dean and St. Mary's Outpatient Surgery Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
To learn more about what's involved, please read our Weight Loss Surgery Pre-surgical To Do List (PDF file). We also offer an interactive animation on the process - please see our Emmi information below.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites include:
- A pre-surgical evaluation including an initial weight management evaluation, labs, nutrition consultation, pulmonary consultation and psychiatric evaluation.
- A BMI of 40+, or a BMI of 35+ with co-morbidities. Please use our BMI calculator to check your BMI.
- Attending a free information session. Please see our Classes section for details.
Cost
The cost is approximately $14,500-$19,500 for pre-evaluation and day of surgery only. Please note that insurance coverage is individual and is not guaranteed. For more details, visit our Financial Information page.
Follow-up
To help you on the road to success, visits with your surgeon, nurse practitioner, primary care and nutritionist are held regularly following surgery.
Supporting Your Weight Loss Efforts — Weight Loss Support Group
A free, monthly support group is offered for patients following surgery. All patients wanting surgery must attend a session prior to being approved for surgery. The support groups offer an information session followed by time for discussion. Please see our Classes section for details.
