Bariatric Surgery in Dallas

A Guide to Getting Weight Loss Surgery in Dallas, Texas

Bariatric surgery has certainly exploded in popularity in recent years. Several factors contribute to this. For one thing, the surgical techniques and technology associated with bariatric weight-loss surgery have come quite a long way. So generally speaking, success rates are higher and recovery times are shorter.

But there's still a lot to learn about weight loss surgery, and that's where we come in. We have created this guide for people who are considering bariatric surgery in the Dallas area. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive education on Dallas bariatric surgery, but it will serve as a good jumping-off point for your further research.

So with that said, let's talk about bariatric weight-loss surgery (and the surgeons who perform it) in the Dallas, Texas area. And doing so, it only makes sense to start with the basics...

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

In medical terms, the word "bariatrics" refers to the field of medicine dealing with obesity — its causes, treatment, prevention, etc. So bariatric surgery then, by extension, refers to the various types of surgery intended to help reduce the body weight of obese individuals.

Common Types of Weight Loss Surgery

In the definition of bariatrics above, you'll notice that I mentioned types of surgery, plural. That's because there are actually several surgical paths to weight loss. Here are the most common:

Gastric Bypass - When you mention bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery (interchangeable terms), many people automatically think of the gastric bypass surgery. That's because it has been used for quite a long time, and for a while it was one of the only forms of bariatric surgery. During a gastric bypass, a small section of the stomach is stapled off from the rest of the stomach. The larger lower portion essentially becomes unusable, from a digestive standpoint. This reduces the stomach capacity, which in turn leads to weight loss. [learn more + view diagram]
Adjustable Gastric Band - Compared to gastric bypass, banding is a newer form of bariatric surgery available in Dallas and elsewhere in the country. Here, an adjustable band (usually made of silicon) is placed around the upper part of the stomach. [view diagram] The end-result is similar to gastric bypass in that it achieves the same “segmenting” effect. But because the banding procedures are performed laparoscopically with smaller incisions, it's a much less invasive surgery. The LAP-BAND ® System is a popular form of gastric banding, as is the Realize Band.
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty - The VBG procedure combines a couple of the things we have discussed in this guide to Dallas bariatric surgery — stomach staples and banding. As with the other forms of weight loss surgery, the VBG achieves results by creating a “stomach within a stomach.” [view diagram]

Malabsorptive vs. Restrictive Surgery

When considering weight loss surgery in Dallas, it's also important to understand the difference between malabsorptive and restrictive surgeries. So let's take a quick look at these terms:

Malabsorptive weight loss surgery - Malabsorptive can be literally translated as "relating to bad absorption." This type of bariatric procedure alters your digestive process by limiting the absorption of calories from the food you eat. It can also lead to the incomplete absorption of necessary minerals and vitamins, which is why many Dallas bariatric surgeons will recommend vitamin supplementation afterward. Gastric bypass surgeries fall into this category. [Learn more]
Restrictive weight loss surgery - This type of bariatric surgery reduces food consumption by reducing the size of the stomach, which eventually leads to weight loss as well. This is achieved by dividing the stomach into a small upper pouch and a larger lower portion. Gastric banding procedures such as the LAP-BAND fall into this category. [Learn more]
Combination surgery - This form of weight loss surgery combines restrictive and malabsorptive techniques. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass falls into this category, because it segments the stomach while also reshaping the intestines, thus combining both concepts into one surgery. [Learn more]

Choosing a Dallas Bariatric Surgeon

Now that you have a better understanding of bariatric weight-loss surgery, you'll be better able to choose the Dallas surgeon who is right for you.

First the good news. Due to the population size of Dallas, Texas (with a metro population well over 6 million people), there is no shortage of bariatric weight-loss surgeons in the Dallas area. So you certainly won't have any trouble finding a bariatric surgeon in Dallas. Of course, with that being said, the most important is choosing a highly qualified surgeon. Bariatric surgery is like any other type of surgery in that the surgeons who practice it will have varying degrees of skill and experience.

Here some checkpoints to consider when selecting a Bariatric surgeon in Dallas, Texas:

Actual Experience -- When it comes to choosing a surgeon, there is no substitute for actual experience performing bariatric procedures. So find out how long the surgeon has been performing such procedures, and how many operations he or she had done.
Patient Success Rate -- From your perspective as a potential patient, surgery success should be more important than the sheer number of surgeries performed. So when you speak with a Dallas bariatric surgeon about their experience, be sure to ask about patient success rates, with regard to weight loss, full recoveries, minimal complications, etc.
Technology -- Bariatric surgery relies on technology that is constantly evolving. So be sure to find out if your prospective surgeon is using the best and latest technology available.
Bedside Manner -- Some bariatric surgeons are highly skilled from a technical standpoint, but lack a pleasant "bedside manner." Other surgeons are great with people but less experienced in bariatrics. Try to find a surgeon with a combination of these qualities, one who is easy to talk to and highly skilled.

Continue Your Education

This tutorial is not meant to be a comprehensive lesson on Dallas bariatric surgery procedures, but merely a jumping-off point for further research. If you are considering bariatric weight-loss surgery in the Dallas area, you owe it to yourself to get all your questions answered before making a decision about surgery or choosing a Dallas-area surgeon. Here are some additional websites that may help with your research.

Also see: Dallas Body Contouring Guide

Related city guide: Custom builders in Dallas

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