What Is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is weight loss surgery. University of Utah Health offers two types of weight loss surgery: gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. These surgeries may help improve your health and lower your risk for health problems. We recommend bariatric surgery if you have a high BMI, and other weight loss methods haven’t worked for you.
Weight loss surgery requires lifelong lifestyle changes for lasting results. Our team helps you build habits to manage your weight before you receive any weight loss surgery. We recommend you learn more about our weight management program before you get bariatric surgery.
Two Types of Bariatric Surgery
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller and reroutes your intestines. This changes how you digest food so that you absorb fewer calories. It also helps you eat less and feel full faster.
During the procedure, your surgeon creates a small pouch out of the walls of the top of your stomach. Then they connect this pouch to the middle part of your small intestine. After surgery, the food you eat bypasses most of your stomach and the first part of your small intestine.
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Surgery length: about 2–2 ½ hours
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Hospital stay: overnight or up to three days
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Initial recovery time: about two weeks
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Full recovery time: up to three months
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy makes your stomach smaller. After surgery, you will feel full more quickly. This will mean you eat fewer calories, leading to weight loss.
Your surgeon will use staples to divide your stomach vertically. They will remove a large part of your stomach so the remaining part is a long, narrow tube (sleeve). Unlike other weight loss procedures, sleeve gastrectomy only changes your stomach size. It doesn’t reroute your intestines.
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Surgery length: about 1–2 hours
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Hospital stay: overnight, return home the next day
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Initial recovery time: about two weeks
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Full recovery time: up to three months
Bariatric Surgery Requirements
You must meet certain criteria to quality for bariatric surgery. Experts design weight loss surgery for people whose weight increases serious health risks. Here’s what it takes to qualify for surgery:
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Body mass index (BMI)—You are typically eligible if you have a BMI or 40 or higher. BMI is a measurement of your body fat based on your weight and height.
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BMI range—You may also qualify if you have a BMI over 35 plus related health complications. Complications may include diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, high lipid levels, sleep apnea, or osteoarthritis.
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Health complications—One or more weight-related health conditions boosts your eligibility for surgery. This is because surgery treats medical risks as well as weight loss.
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Consultation—Healthcare professionals make sure you’re ready for bariatric surgery. They determine whether you meet overall health requirements and can achieve long-term goals.
Why Choose U of U Health?
Our board-certified bariatric surgeons offer some of the latest treatments with a record of success. We work hard to help you select the weight loss plan that gives you the most satisfaction for the longest time.
Our team ensures your success beyond the surgical procedure. We collaborate with a wide range of specialists, so you have support for every part of your weight loss journey. We are the only program in the Mountain West where you have access to every necessary specialist in one location:
- Bariatric surgeons
- Advance practice clinicians
- Registered dietitians
- Exercise physiologists
- Sleep specialists
- Liver specialists
- Heart specialists
- Psychologists
- Registered nurses
- Medical assistants
University of Utah bariatric surgery services is a Blue Cross Blue Shield distinction + Center. We are also an MBSAQUIP accredited program and an Aetna Institute of Quality for bariatrics.
It has been a hard road, but it has been the best thing I ever did for myself...I wish I would have done it sooner. That is the only regret I have, but I wasn’t ready sooner. It was a huge step.
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How to Start the Bariatric Surgery Process
If you’re considering weight loss surgery, it can be overwhelming to know how to start the process. We make the process easy as possible. Here are the steps you need to take to get started:
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Watch Our Free Patient Seminar
Our seminar is the first step required in your bariatric surgery journey. During the seminar, you meet with our bariatric surgery team and learn about the different procedures. We explain requirements and what to expect.
The seminar is virtual and available at any time. You must pass a short quiz after the seminar to move forward.
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Complete Forms and Review Your Eligibility
Our team will reach out to you with next steps after you watch the seminar. You’ll fill out a form, health assessment, and substance use agreement.
We also make sure you meet the requirements for surgery. Medical weight management might work better for you if you don’t qualify for surgery.
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Get Approved for Surgery by Your Insurance
If your insurance covers surgery, we send you an intake form for scheduling. We send you self-pay information if you’re uninsured or your insurance doesn’t cover surgery. We provide all pricing information up front.
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Schedule Your First Appointment
You’re ready to begin the bariatric surgery program. Your first appointments will be with your surgeon, dietician, and exercise physiologist.
Hear From Our Surgeons
Meet Our Patients
Finding a New Quality of Life after Gastric Bypass Surgery
“It has been a hard road, but it has been the best thing I ever did for myself.” This is how DeAnn Barfuss describes the emotional weight loss journey she embarked upon two years ago after deciding to undergo gastric bypass surgery.
