Weight Loss Seminars
Sign up to attend a free weight loss seminar. Learn what the program entails and if it is right for you. Register online or call 616.994.6677.
Surgical Weight Loss
Is bariatric surgery a part of your weight loss journey? If so, the highly trained team at Spectrum Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of bariatric patients. Using a comprehensive approach, each patient meets with a behaviorist, dietitian and surgeon to identify the procedure that is right for him or her. Coupled with education about what to expect from the various surgical options, patients receive helpful tools that can help them achieve permanent lifestyle change.
Learn more about bariatric surgery
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a restrictive procedure that limits absorption of foods in the intestinal tract. A small pouch about the size of an egg is separated from the stomach to restrict or limit the amount of food you can eat at one sitting. The small intestine is then connected to the pouch and rerouted to create a bypass, or a shortened small intestine so less of the food eaten is absorbed into the body. As opposed to sleeve gastrectomy, the remaining stomach is not removed, making this procedure reversible or adjustable if needed.
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most frequently performed weight loss procedures in the United States. It can be performed as open surgery or as laparoscopic surgery.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure. The left part of the stomach is removed to create a tube about the size and shape of a banana. This new, smaller stomach limits the amount of food you can eat at one time, helping you lose weight. The sleeve gastrectomy was originally designed as the first stage of a two-stage procedure ending in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Weight loss achieved from the sleeve gastrectomy alone made the second stage procedure unnecessary. Since a portion of the stomach is removed, this procedure is not reversible. The procedure can be performed as open surgery or as laparoscopic surgery.
Adjustable Gastric Banding
Adjustable gastric banding, commonly known as LAP-BAND®, is a restrictive weight loss procedure that is performed laparoscopically. A small adjustable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. While the rate of weight loss is slower than with other bariatric surgeries, the minimally invasive approach means less pain after the operation and quicker recovery. This procedure is reversible.
Weight Loss Seminars
Attending a free weight loss seminar is the first step in the surgical weight loss process. You will learn what the program entails and if it is right for you. The seminars are presented by a medical provider who will explain each step of the process and answer your questions. To register online or call 616.994.6677.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with most significant life decisions, the more you know, the more confident you will be about your decision. Review our list of frequently asked questions.
