Weight Loss Surgery

What is weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, is any surgical procedure that alters your digestive tract to help you lose weight. Dr. Balder typically recommends these procedures when noninvasive treatments, like diet, exercise, and weight loss medications, have proven ineffective or unsustainable. 

Passionate about helping patients achieve their weight loss goals, Dr. Balder takes a collaborative approach to surgery that involves personalized coaching and lifestyle changes.

Are there different types of weight loss surgery?

Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery specializes in multiple types of weight loss surgery, including:

Laparoscopic Vertical Gastric Sleeve (VSG)

A gastric sleeve, also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), supports substantial weight loss by reducing the stomach size by almost 80%, removing the stretchable stomach, and forming a tube or almost banana-shaped stomach. This removes the portion of the stomach that produces the "hunger hormones" ghrelin, promoting satiety (opposite sensation of hunger), curbing appetite and promoting a faster feeling of fullness.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, also termed Roux-en-y is a surgical procedure that divides the stomach into a smaller upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. Your surgeon then rearranges the small intestine to connect to both pouches, creating a Y-shaped configuration. This process restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold, promoting a feeling of fullness with smaller meals.

Laparoscopic Duodenal switch

The duodenal switch (DS) procedure involves two steps. In the first step, Dr. Balder reduces the stomach similar to the Sleeve Gastrectomy. In the second step, he devides the duodenum (first portion of the small intestine) below the pylorus (stomach muscle) and attaches the newly formed duodenal pouch to the ileum - last section of the small intestine.

Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery Revisions

Weight loss surgery revisions are follow-up surgical procedures to modify or correct the results of a previous weight loss surgery. This can be a complex topic, and certainly involves higher patient risk than a primary or original procedure. However, if a patient needs additional assistance because of their current anatomy and, or their prior procedure is not working, Dr Balder wants people to know that he and his expertise are available to potentially get them toward the healthy goals that they deserve.

Who is a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Individuals interested in weight loss surgery must meet certain criteria, including:

Body mass index (BMI)

Candidates often have a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension.

Previous weight loss attempts

Dr. Balder only recommends weight loss surgery to patients who have made significant efforts to lose weight through nonsurgical methods, such as diet and exercise, without sustained success.

Commitment to lifestyle changes

Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to making significant lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications and regular exercise, to support long-term weight management.

Call Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery today or schedule an online appointment for a personalized consultation.