Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is among the most effective long-term solutions for people with class III obesity, formerly called morbid obesity. At Odessa General Surgery Robotics in Odessa, Texas, Judith Birungi, MD, performs bariatric surgery through small incisions using advanced minimally invasive techniques. Her approach to surgery reduces pain after surgery and shortens recovery time. Call the office today or schedule your bariatric surgery consultation using the online booking button.

What should I know about bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery, refers to a group of surgical procedures to treat obesity. These procedures modify the digestive system to reduce the amount of food a person can eat.

The goal of bariatric surgery is to help people lose weight to improve their health and well-being.

At Odessa General Surgery Robotics, Dr. Birungi specializes in bariatric surgery, personalizing surgical plans so that each patient gets the best outcome.

Diets don’t work for me. Can I get bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone who needs to lose weight. You must meet specific criteria to qualify for the procedure.

Before you can have surgery, you must be diagnosed with class III obesity, which means you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher plus one obesity-related health problem like Type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

You have had to try other less invasive methods to lose weight, like diet and exercise. If these methods fail and your weight poses a severe risk to your health, you might benefit from bariatric surgery.

What types of bariatric surgery are there?

There are different types of bariatric surgery. Dr. Birungi works with you to determine which procedure makes the best choice.

Bariatric surgeries include:

Gastric sleeve

Dr. Birungi removes about 80% of your stomach for a gastric sleeve, leaving you with a small, tube-shaped stomach.

The gastric sleeve reduces the amount of food you can eat, helps you feel full faster, and reduces hunger by removing the part of the stomach that releases hunger hormones.

Gastric bypass

During a gastric bypass, the skilled surgeon creates a small, egg-sized stomach pouch and attaches it to the lower part of your small intestine. This procedure helps you eat less, feel full faster, and reduces calorie absorption.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS)

BPD-DS combines elements of the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.

Your surgeon creates a sleevelike pouch for your stomach and separates it from the first part of the small intestine. The pouch is reattached to a lower part of the small intestine (bypassing about 75% of the small intestine).

Stomach intestinal pylorus sparing surgery (SIPS)

SIPS is similar to BPD-DS but is a simpler procedure. It only bypasses the first part of the small intestine.

Call Odessa General Surgery Robotics today or book an appointment with the skilled surgeon online.