Bariatric Surgery

The goal of the Little Company of Mary Bariatric Surgery Center is to provide excellent, personalized, local care for patients requesting weight loss surgery. We strive to assist you on achieving a realistic goal weight, a positive attitude about your health and an overall improved lifestyle. By strictly adhering to the recommendations and guidelines of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, we look forward in helping you in your journey for a longer life of healthy living.

Because proper weight control management requires a motivated patient and continued support, we offer a multi-disciplinary program for healthy weight loss. We offer a wide range of services lead by an integrated team of specialists that will talk with you and explain every procedure in detail as well as keys for long-term success.

• Comprehensive surgical consultation
• Minimally invasive laparoscopic and open gastric bypass surgery
• Nutritional counseling
• Psychological support and workshops
• Monthly support group meetings
• Long-term follow-up, including medical, nutritional and metabolic evaluation

Specializing in minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, including:

• Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery- is the most frequently performed and most researched weight loss surgery in the United States. During this procedure, a small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach and part of the intestine is attached to this pouch. Food bypasses a section of the intestine and reduces calorie absorption. The smaller stomach pouch limits the amount of food that can be ingested, so an altered diet and smaller portion sizes become a part of the lifestyle change.
• Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy- is recommended as a restrictive surgery and is performed as an alternative to Lap Band surgery. A portion of the stomach is removed and the remainder is formed into a sleeve without any intestinal detachment (re-routing). A smaller stomach causes patients to eat less but still feel full. An altered diet and smaller portion sizes are part of a lifelong change needed with this procedure. Because a portion of the stomach is removed, this surgery is not reversible.

The medical and emotional benefits of bariatric surgery begin almost immediately. Over time these benefits can include:

• Sustained weight loss
• Improvement or resolution of Type 2 diabetes
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Improvement of sleep apnea
• Improved mobility
• Reduced osteoarthritis pain
• Higher energy level
• Improved self-esteem

The first step is to call (708) 229-4018. From there, you'll meet with a program surgeon to determine what kind of surgery is best for you. You'll learn about available surgical procedures, possible side effects and how your habits will have to change. A strong determination and commitment to changing your lifestyle partnered with education are the main tools any bariatric patient needs to be a truly successful candidate.

We also encourage you to attend and participate in our free monthly support group where you can talk with our weight loss specialists and patients. The support group meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Cancer Center Meeting Room at OSF Little Company of Mary.

After surgery, your lifestyle will need to include a healthy diet, regular exercise and adherence to a comprehensive follow-up schedule. Within six to eight weeks, most patients return to a normal diet. You will need to chew your food well, eat slowly and refrain from drinking with your meals.

Although you should be able to eat most foods after surgery, some food intolerance may be experienced. Your hospital stay after gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy will range from 1-2 days. You will need between one to six weeks off work following surgery depending on the amount of lifting and physical activity associated with your job and your surgeon's recommendation.

The bariatric program at OSF Little Company of Mary Medica Center is a Center of Excellence, accredited by the metabolic and bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

We offer the following procedures with a low rate of complications.