At our bariatric surgery practice, serving patients in Southern California, we realize that the decision to undergo weight loss surgery is life changing. Weight loss surgery for morbid obesity is not a cosmetic procedure. It is the opportunity for a new life.

Did you know that weight loss surgery is often a covered benefit?

Contact us and let us verify your benefits for you.

Advanced Bariatric Surgery Options and Comprehensive Care

Whenever possible, the bariatric surgery procedures performed by our Surgery Center are performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery techniques to decrease the length of the patient recovery process. Our bariatric surgery team includes a psychologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, and a neurologist, as well as dietitians and exercise physiologists. Our support team includes customer service and insurance specialists.

After surgery, the greatest care is taken in ensuring that each patient receives the highest standard of follow-up care in a warm and supportive environment. Patients have the option of attending weekly support groups to discuss topics such as “Problematic Eating,” “Stress Management,” and “Psychology of Obesity.”

Who Is a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

For people who remain obese after non-surgical approaches to weight loss prove ineffective or for those who have an obesity-related disease, bariatric surgery at our surgical practice may be the best solution for accomplishing weight-loss goals and improving health and quality of life. The first step in determining whether you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery is to determine your Body Mass Index (BMI). A patient who is a good candidate for bariatric surgery should have a BMI of over 35.

Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?

Making the decision to undergo bariatric surgery at one of our surgical practice has been rewarding and gratifying for many of our patients. It does, however, represent a serious, lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle. If the following statements can be used to describe you, then you are probably ready to begin the process of seeking weight loss surgery.

• You are certain you will not be able to lose weight successfully using non-surgical measures.
• You are determined to lose weight and improve your overall health.
• You are informed about the surgical procedure and aware that your life will change after the surgery.
• You are committed to lifelong medical follow-up.

You must remember that there are no guarantees for weight loss with bariatric surgery. You can only achieve success by strictly following post-surgery guidelines and committing to a healthy lifestyle and lifelong medical follow-up care.

Choosing Your Path to a Healthier You – Bariatric Surgery Options

After you have determined that you are ready to pursue surgical treatment for obesity, you must decide which type of bariatric surgery you should undergo. At our surgical practice, we perform LAP-BAND® System surgery, REALIZE Band, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for patients who are undergoing their first bariatric procedure. We also perform revisional bariatric surgery procedures for patients wishing to modernize an outdated bariatric surgery they underwent in the past, and for patients suffering from bariatric surgery complications. Many patients who plan to undergo bariatric surgery also plan to have plastic surgery to treat post-weight loss skin laxity.

LAP-BAND® System Surgery

LAP-BAND® System surgery involves placing an adjustable stomach-restricting band made of a biocompatible material around the upper portion of the stomach. A LAP-BAND® System procedure is simple and minimally invasive. After the procedure, patients lose weight more gradually than they do with the Roux-en-Y procedure. Recovery after LAP-BAND® System surgery is easier than with other bariatric surgeries, and because there is a lower risk of malnutrition associated with the procedure, patients do not have to maintain as extensive a vitamin and nutrient supplement regimen following surgery.

REALIZE® Band Surgery

REALIZE® Band adjustable gastric banding is another advanced weight loss surgery procedure that creates a smaller stomach chamber in the upper part of the stomach to hold food. Fully reversible and adjustable, this procedure utilizes a wider band than the LAP-BAND® System. The goal of REALIZE® Band surgery is to help patients attain an earlier feeling of fullness at mealtimes, which can ultimately lead to significant weight loss. In addition to its effective results, the REALIZE® Band procedure is known for its quicker recovery time when compared with other bariatric surgery options.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

The Roux-en-Y is a perfected form of gastric bypass surgery involving a minimal risk of side effects and exceptional weight loss results. The Roux-en-Y procedure helps obese patients achieve weight loss by both restricting food intake and decreasing the nutrient-absorption capacity of the digestive system. Many patients who have undergone the Roux-en-Y procedure report a reduction in cravings for fatty and sugary food. All patients who undergo the procedure must pay special attention to doctor-recommended dietary guidelines and take vitamin and mineral supplements to avoid the risk of malnutrition.

Revisional Bariatric Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, weight loss surgery has a slight risk of unforeseen surgical complications. If a patient suffers from severe surgical complications, surgical intervention may be required. The surgeons at Allied Surgery Center all possess advanced training and extensive experience in bariatric surgery. As a result, many of our practice’s revisional bariatric surgery patients are referred to us by other health care professionals. In addition to treating LAP-BAND® System and Roux-en-Y surgical complications, we also have extensive experience performing surgery to convert intestinal bypass and gastroplasty procedures to the more modern Roux-en-Y technique. Intestinal bypass and gastroplasty procedures are considered outdated, and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has a comparatively low rate of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side effects.

Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery

Obesity not only places a strain on the body’s internal organs, such as the heart, the liver, the lungs, and even the brain, it can also damage the skin. Obesity-related skin damage is often cumulative. Gradually, as a person’s weight increases, the skin stretches to accommodate the new body mass and over time loses its natural elasticity. When an obese patient begins to slim down, the skin may not be able to conform to the new body frame. Post-bariatric plastic surgery, also referred to as body contouring, may provide the ideal solution for a patient who has lost considerable weight but remains dissatisfied with his or her overall appearance.

Your Bariatric Surgery Consultation

During your bariatric surgery consultation at our surgical office, an experienced bariatric surgeon will meet with you to answer all of your questions and provide you with expert medical advice. Patients are encouraged to take an active role in preparing for their weight loss surgery by learning as much as they can about the steps they will need to take to prepare for and recover from the procedure, and about the surgery itself. At Allied Surgery Center, we believe that providing patients with knowledge about their procedure is essential—the more you learn about your obesity surgery procedure, the more confident you will feel that you have made the right decision.

Bowel Prep for All Bariatric Surgeries

For a smooth and complication-free bariatric surgery please review our pre-operative bariatric surgery guidelines:

1. Twenty four hours before your procedure, begin a clear liquid diet.
2. At 10:00 a.m. the day before your procedure, take one bottle of citrus of magnesium.
3. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure.

Obesity Action Coalition

The Obesity Action Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to obese patient advocacy and public awareness of the obesity epidemic. The Obesity Action Coalition is also an excellent source of support, education, and special events for patients recovering from obesity. Allied Surgery Center encourages all of our patients to visit the Obesity Action Coalition website for more information.

Contact Our Bariatric Surgery Practice

Are you ready to make a lifelong commitment to a slimmer, healthier body? At Allied Surgery Center, our highly trained bariatric surgeons can give you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about whether weight loss surgery is right for you. Did you know that weight loss surgery is often a covered benefit? To schedule your comprehensive consultation, Contact us today at 714-919-5883