With 1/3 of Alabama residents qualifying as obese, successful weight loss is a constant struggle from year to year. Often diet and workout plans fail, bringing the weight back on with a vengeance and leaving one with a sense of defeat and hopelessness.
The good news is that there are alternatives for life-changing weight loss success when traditional methods have not worked. Bariatric surgery is for people who have 100 pounds or more to lose and can be life changing with participants regaining an active lifestyle with family, friends, and activities.
The Bariatric Center at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital provides a comprehensive bariatric surgery program, following the patient from pre-surgery education to postoperative care and success for long-term weight loss.
Personalized Bariatric Surgery Options
Sleeve Gastrectomy
For people who are morbidly obese with a body mass index over 40, the sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive laparoscopy surgical solution. The stomach is permanently reduced to 10-15% of its original size by removing a section of the stomach, leaving a tube shape, which is sealed closed with staples. As a permanent weight-loss solution, this surgery provides advantages over other bariatrics weight-loss options.
Gastric Bypass
This bariatrics bypass technique involves surgically removing part of the stomach or stapling off an area of the stomach to create a smaller pouch. These procedures bypass part of the small intestine, where most nutrients are absorbed.
Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding
To help patients feel full sooner and for longer periods of time, doctors use this less-invasive, reversible procedure, where the surgeon places a band around the upper part of the stomach. Patients who receive the Lap-Band find that they can lose a significant amount of weight in a healthy way with long-term results. They also enjoy a faster, less painful recovery than other more traditional bariatrics procedures.
Bariatric Webinars for Post- and Pre-Surgery Patients
Educational webinars are provided every other month on the fourth Tuesday of the month, where patients and families learn about follow-up care and education to help ensure a positive experience of weight loss.
The Bariatric Center provides three experienced surgeons who specialize in bariatric procedures—Dr. Clifford Black, Dr. Lei Liu, and Dr. Peter Jernigan. Meeting with patients and families one-on-one, surgeons discuss bariatric procedures in detail to see which one would provide the best outcome for safety and long-term results. Visit our website to learn more and get started on your journey to a healthier you for the new year!
*Weight loss surgery: Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery.