Bariatric surgery can help people in many ways.
- The average weight loss of medical (no surgery) attempts is only 6% at 10 years.
- Weight loss with surgery can be as high as 77% at 12 months. As high as 60% at 5 years.
- Type 2 diabetes is resolved in 77% of patients. It is improved in 86%.
- High blood pressure is improved in 79% of patients. Blood pressure goes back to normal in 62% of patients.
- High cholesterol is lowered in 70% of patients.
- Obstructive sleep apnea is resolved in more than 85% of patients.
- The risk of this surgery is now lower than medical tries at weight loss. The risk of death is only 0.1%.
Who qualifies for bariatric surgery?
People with a BMI > 35 and high-risk weight-related health problems. This includes:
- diabetes
- sleep apnea
- high blood pressure
- fatty liver disease
- GERD
- high cholesterol
People with a BMI > 40
- Learn more about your bariatric surgery care team.
What is bariatric surgery?
There are two types of bariatric procedures performed at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics:
- Restrictive – the stomach is made smaller. This limits food intake.
- Malabsorptive – A part of the intestines are bypassed. This limits the number of calories the body can absorb.
Restrictive
Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Up to 55% excess body weight loss at 5 years
- Can help resolve some weight-related health problems
![Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy](/sites/default/files/uihc_org/verticalsleevegastrectomy.jpg)
Malabsorptive
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
- Both malabsorptive and restrictive
- Developed at UI Hospitals & Clinics. Has been done for over 50 years
- Up to 77% excess body weight loss
- Most helpful to resolve weight-related health problems
![Rouxeny Bypass Rouxeny Bypass](/sites/default/files/uihc_org/rouxenybypass.jpg)
Weight loss surgery can help resolve many related health problems.
Which surgery is best for me?
You and your surgeon will discuss the best procedure for you.
![Illustration of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries Illustration of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries](/sites/default/files/uihc_org/bariatric_surgery_illustration.jpg)
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (gastric bypass) | Sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve) | |
---|---|---|
How does it work? |
|
|
Stomach |
|
|
Small intestine |
|
|
Pyloric valve |
|
|
Average operating time |
|
|
Average hospital stay |
|
|
Average time off work |
|
|
Average weight loss |
|
|
Surgery advantages |
|
|
Surgery disadvantages |
|
|