Bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted medical device (gastric banding) or through removal of a portion of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy) or by resecting and re-routing the small intestines to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery). Long-term studies show the procedures cause significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and a reduction in mortality of between 23% and 40%. At Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group, our physicians are specially trained in the field of bariatrics. These centers include Delray Medical Center and Good Samaritan Medical Center. Delray Medical Center has been designated a “Bariatric Center of Excellence” by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and "Optum/United Healthcare Bariatric Center of Excellence." Our bariatric surgeons perform the following procedures:

  • The Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
  • The Gastric Sleeve
  • Gastric Banding Management
  • Revisional Surgery

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Body Mass Index (BMI) may be a helpful indicator for body fat, based on height/weight ratio.

When to See a Bariatric Surgeon?

Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group (PBHNPG) bariatric surgeons provide bariatric surgery options for people who are 100 or more pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more or who have a BMI of 35 or more with one or more co-morbidities like hypertension or high cholesterol. Many times patients are referred to a bariatric surgeon by their primary care physician, cardiologist or endocrinologist. However, many times patients also self refer. Either way, the Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group Bariatric team will be happy to work with you and your primary care physician to achieve your desired outcomes. Here are some of the successful outcomes many patients have experienced after having bariatric surgery with our program:

  • The average patient’s weight loss with a gastric bypass has been 70% of excess weight within 12 months.
  • Most patients with type 2 diabetes are able to discontinue medications and maintain normal blood sugar levels.
  • Most patients with hypertension are able to sustain normal blood pressure readings after discontinuing medications following surgery.
  • Most patients with sleep apnea will not require treatments following surgery.
  • Most patients experience higher levels of energy.
Weight loss surgery may be an option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious health problems related to obesity. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding may be an option for people with a BMI of 30 or more who have at least one serious obesity-related health problem. Weight loss surgery is considered safe, but like any surgery, it does have risks. Consult with your physician about the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery.

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Weight loss surgery may be an option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious health problems related to obesity. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding may be an option for people with a BMI of 30 or more who have at least one serious obesity-related health problem. Weight loss surgery is considered safe, but like any surgery, it does have risks. Consult with your physician about the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery.