What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery alters the stomach and/or intestines to treat severe obesity.
 
The procedure takes about 2-4 hours and patients generally stay in the hospital for 3-5 days after that. Most patients can return to school or work in 2-6 weeks.
 
Packard Children’s Hospital was the first pediatric hospital in California to perform bariatric surgery.  Currently, Packard Children’s performs three bariatric surgery procedures

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Packard Children's performs the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure for morbidly overweight adolescents. The procedure:

• Reduces the patient’s stomach size
• Narrows the connection between the stomach and small intestine
• Decreases the amount of food the patient can eat

The Packard Children's bariatric surgery team has performed the Roux-en-Y laparoscopically since 2004. The bariatric surgeon inserts specialized miniature instruments into the patient through small incisions made in the abdominal wall. Compared to large incision surgery, the laparoscopic technique:

• Promotes faster healing and recovery 
• Decreases pain 
• Decreases the chance of infection

Gastric Lap Band

Another bariatric surgery procedure performed on adolescents is the insertion of a gastric lap band. This procedure is also performed laparoscopically. It limits the amount of food the patient can eat. The band is a collar that is placed around the stomach and the size can be adjusted. In May 2006, Packard Children's became the first children’s hospital in California to perform gastric lap band surgery on an adolescent.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery where a portion of the stomach is removed. The stomach is resized and ends up looking like a sleeve or tube. This procedure permanently reduces stomach size and is not reversible.