What is Weight-loss Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight-loss approach that uses surgical procedures to help patients lose weight, avoid or reverse some diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and improve overall health.

Because every patient considering bariatric surgery is unique, the Penn Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Program offers a full range of bariatric surgical options. This ensures that patients receive the bariatric surgery that will provide them with the best possible results.

Here are four types of bariatric surgery at Penn.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is typically considered for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or higher. During the surgery, a sleeve–shaped tube is created from a small portion of the stomach and the majority of the stomach is removed. The small intestine is not surgically altered. Sleeve gastrectomy may require a second operation like conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (see below) if even more weight loss is required to improve a patient's health.

Robotic-assisted Bariatric Surgery

All procedures performed by Penn bariatric surgeons are available using a minimally invasive approach called laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery offers many benefits for patients including shorter recovery times and less post-operative pain. In addition, Penn performs robotic-assisted bariatric surgery for the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy procedures. Penn's bariatric specialists are highly experienced in robotic-assisted surgery and have performed more than 500 robotic LAP-BAND® and sleeve gastrectomy procedures.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB)

The most common type of bariatric surgery performed in the United States, during the Roux-en-Y procedure a Penn surgeon divides a small gastric pouch from the upper portion of the stomach and attaches it directly to the small intestine, completely bypassing the larger part of the stomach.

Adjustable Gastric Band

The adjustable gastric band does not divide or reattach any part of the gastrointestinal tract. During the procedure, a Penn surgeon places a band around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small pouch with a narrow opening to the lower stomach. The food eaten stays in the small pouch for more time, so the patient feels full longer. The band is adjustable, which means it can be tightened or loosened after surgery as needed.