Weight Loss Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, is a safe and proven way to produce significant weight loss for morbidly obese people. If you are 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight and the usual diets have failed, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple can help you take control of your health and change your life forever.

With more than 3,000 surgeries performed, we have devoted the necessary resources to provide you with comprehensive care and achieve high standards in patient education and safety, surgical results, pre-surgical counseling and long-term post-surgical care. Learn more about our informational seminars, lifestyle change classes and bariatric support groups.

Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

If you weigh 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight and the usual diets have failed, surgery for weight loss can help you lose weight and keep it off.

Qualifications for surgery may vary by location but can include:

Have a body mass index (BMI) 30 or great (however, most insurances require a BMI of 35 or greater with a comorbid condition*)

*Comorbid conditions caused by obesity include:

Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease and stroke
Sleep apnea
Asthma
Arthritis and joint disease
Reflux disease and heartburn

Surgery Options

At the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple, we offer two minimally invasive bariatric surgical procedures to qualifying patients weighing at least 100 pounds more than their ideal body weight.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The current standard by which other weight loss operations are measured. In this procedure, a small stomach pouch is created that bypasses a portion of the small intestine. This restricts the amount of food you can eat and the calories your body can absorb.

Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

In this procedure, the surgeon removes a large portion of your stomach. The smaller stomach limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my medical insurance cover weight loss surgery?

Please contact your insurance company directly and ask about coverage for weight loss surgery.

How long after the procedure will it take to get my weight off?

This depends on which procedure is performed, how strictly you follow the after-surgery instructions and how much excess weight you need to lose.

How will my diet and exercise routine change after weight loss surgery?

You will receive specific instructions based on the type of weight loss procedure you have, but the following five guidelines will apply:

Eat your protein first — at least half of each meal
No snacking! Eat only two to three small meals per day
Drink lots of water — 80 ounces per day
Exercise 60 minutes every day, seven days a week
Take your vitamin and mineral supplements daily

Can I drink anything besides water between meals?

Yes, but the choices are limited. You can drink sugar-free beverages that do not contain calories, caffeine or carbonation. For example, you may drink diluted sugar-free lemonade but not diet sodas.

How often are follow-up appointments required after weight loss surgery?

After gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the patient is typically scheduled for follow-up appointments at one week, two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and twelve months. Thereafter, follow-up appointments can be scheduled as needed.

After adjustable gastric banding surgery, the patient is scheduled for monthly follow-up appointments for the first 12 months. Thereafter, periodic weight checks are scheduled during the next six years; follow-up appointments can also be scheduled as needed.

Can I continue to take my current medicines before and after surgery?

Before your surgery, you will receive specific medication instructions from the bariatric surgery team. There are some medications you may need to stop taking before surgery such as diabetes medications, female hormones, birth control pills, PLAVIX®, COUMADIN®, diuretics or "water pills."

After your surgery, certain medications should only be taken with permission from our team, including: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy surgery patients: Following surgery, all of your medications will need to be in a liquid, chewable or crushable form for the first two months.

Adjustable gastric band surgery patients: Following surgery, all of your medications will need to be in a liquid, chewable or crushable form for the first 10 days. After 10 days, you can take solid pills with two ounces of water.