What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss procedure that changes the size of your stomach to assist with weight loss, treats complications from obesity—such as joint pain, headaches, and reflux—and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Want to learn more? Call 512-421-4408 to learn more about our free educational bariatric surgery seminars.
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and are between the ages of 18-70, bariatric surgery could be the right treatment for you.
Obesity affects around 40% of all Americans, increasing the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Bariatric surgery options
ARC specializes in the following bariatric surgery procedures:
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
This weight-loss surgery reduces the size of your stomach and limits the amount of food you can eat in one sitting. The route of digestion is preserved as part of the stomach is removed and the remaining is formed into a vertical sleeve. As a result, you will feel full sooner and longer.
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Roux-en-y gastric bypass
Gastric bypass surgery alters the way your stomach and small intestine process food. The surgeon creates a small pouch in the stomach and attaches it directly to a portion of the small intestine. The small pouch allows food to bypass a part of the small intestine and reduces the amount of fat and calories you absorb from the foods you eat.
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Bariatric revision surgery
Revision surgery is a personalized approach that contemplates the correction or improvement of previous bariatric surgeries depending on the type of bariatric surgery that was previously performed.
We will start with an EGD (upper endoscopy) of the esophagus and stomach to evaluate the general shape of the anatomy. Once we have that information, we can see what options are right for you.
Gastric band removal is a common revision in our practice.
Bariatric surgery seminars
What:
You can learn more about bariatric surgery by attending our regular seminars.
Call 512-421-4408 to RSVP to an upcoming seminar.
We will discuss the following:
- Who qualifies for bariatric surgery
- The types of weight-loss surgery offered at ARC
- What to expect before and after surgery
- General insurance information
- Overall formula for success before and after surgery
- Frequently asked questions about bariatric surgery
- Next steps to booking your new patient consultation
Where:
ARC Medical Plaza Specialty
1401 Medical Parkway
Building B, Suite 200 (lobby)
Cedar Park, TX 78613
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When:
Beginning March 1, ARC Bariatric seminars will be on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
Call 512-421-4408 to RSVP to an upcoming seminar.
Additional details
Am I a candidate?
Bariatric surgery is right for you if:
- You have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
- You are between the ages of 18-70
Use our BMI calculator below to find out if weight-loss surgery is right for you.
BMI calculator
This information is not saved.
Meet the bariatric team
Our bariatric surgery team has undergone extensive training, including Si/Xi robotic surgery certification, and Dr. Medina has performed hundreds of surgeries throughout the last five years. With the support of our registered dietitians, we work with you before and after the surgery to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Lorraine Castillo, Bariatric Coordinator, Staff Medical Assistant
Patient transformations
We thank our patients for sharing their weight-loss transformations and are proud to have helped guide them step-by-step to a healthier lifestyle.
A new lease on life
Misty says she tried every diet in the book but found that she would always plateau at a certain point. Since her bariatric surgery, she says she feels better than ever.
Initial bariatric surgery consultation
After attending the seminar, we will book you an appointment with bariatric surgeon, Marco Vinicio Medina-Zea, MD, FACS, FASMBS, to discuss your personalized care plan moving forward in the bariatric program. New patient appointments are focused on the individual patient and their health needs and concerns. You will also meet with the bariatric coordinator to discuss insurance-specific requirements for surgery and ask any questions that may have come up between the seminar and your appointment.
Before this appointment, you will get a call from the financial counselor to discuss your insurance coverage. Bariatric surgery costs may be covered through some insurance plans.
What to expect with bariatric surgery
Before surgery
- 3-6 months of preparation
- Regular office visits with surgeons, psychological evaluations, sleep studies, and more
- Workups for obesity and sleep apnea (OSA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Nutrition education
Around the time of surgery
- Peri-operative visits
- Nutrition education in preparation for surgery
- Up to two nights in the hospital
After surgery
- Nutrition education and instructions post-surgery
- Follow-up visit(s) with the bariatric surgeon
- Improvements in blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels due to new weight loss
- Increased energy and activity
- Reduced weight of about 50-100 pounds five years after surgery with maintained diet and exercise
Constant support from a registered dietitian
ARC's registered dietitians support our patients by providing nutritional education and instructions for pre and post-bariatric surgery. A specific diet is advised to help prevent setbacks keeping you from your health goals. We want you to be satisfied with your weight-loss results every step of the way.
Getting started
If you are interested in bariatric surgery, call 512-421-4408 to RSVP to an upcoming seminar. Bariatric surgery costs may be covered through insurance plans or self-pay options. We can obtain your benefits after your first visit with our bariatric surgeon if the surgeon deems you a candidate.