Weight Loss Surgeries

Condell provides a variety of weight loss surgeries as well as support to keep you on track.

Inpatient Bariatric Surgery

Open Gastric Bypass Surgery
In open gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon makes an incision from the top of the breast bone to navel. The stomach is then separated into two parts. The upper part forms a small pouch capable of holding about one fluid ounce of food or liquid. The rest of the stomach, along with some of the small intestine, is bypassed, causing some of the nutrients and calories in food not to be absorbed. The smaller capacity of the stomach, along with less absorption of calories, cause significant weight loss. This procedure requires a three-day hospital stay.

Outpatient Bariatric Surgeries

Seriously overweight people who have never been able to keep pounds off with diet pills, exercise, or other weight loss programs, now have options that not only help patients lose weight, but return them home within 24 hours.

LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB)
The first outpatient procedure uses an item called the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB). The AGB is placed around the upper part of the stomach and when compressed, creates a small pouch that acts as the new stomach. (See diagram below.) As a result of the smaller size, patients get full faster and reduce the amount of food they eat.
For this procedure, small incisions are made into the patient's abdomen. Laparoscopic tools are then inserted into the incisions to guide and perform the operation.

As a patient loses weight, the compression of the AGB can be adjusted. Connected to the AGB is a tube with a port. During the surgery, this port is placed directly underneath the skin in the abdominal area. When the band needs adjusting after surgery, saline solution is either added or removed via a needle stick to this port to inflate or deflate the AGB.

Because there is no cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines, the procedure can be reversed if needed.

In the news...Condell Medical Center is the first hospital in Lake County to offer minimally invasive procedure for severely obese patients. Read more.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass The other outpatient bariatric surgery, laparoscopic gastric bypass, uses staples to close off a portion of the patient's stomach. To allow for digestion, a portion of the small intestine is attached to the newly formed pouch. Thus, food "bypasses" the stomach and is digested by the small intestine.

Like the LAP-BAND procedure, this surgery is performed through small incisions and with the use of laparoscopic tools, greatly benefiting patients because of its non-invasive nature. "Following these procedures, patients will experience reduced pain, trauma and recovery time as well as sustained, healthy weight loss," said surgeon, Mark Kadowaki, MD.

Bariatric Surgeons at Condell

View a list of physicians who perform bariatric surgery at Condell Medical Center
For more information about physicians at Condell who perform weight loss surgeries, call Physician Referral, (847) 990-5610, or search our physician directory online.

Support to stay on track

Despite the added kickstart to weight loss provided by surgery and liquid protein plans, Wellness Services of Condell realizes that successful long-term weight management requires patients to transform their lifestyles, taking into account a complex blend of diet, exercise, behavioral and emotional issues.

After surgery, when the size of the stomach has been greatly reduced, patients can have only clear liquids, eventually graduating to nutrition drinks and pureed foods. They slowly work up to solid foods, but can have no sugar or caffeine, and very little fat during the first six months. They finally can begin eating small, lowfat meals about six months after surgery.

"We're there to encourage patients every step of the way," said Tricia Walker, assistant manager of Wellness Services. "The first six months can be especially tough. We try to keep them focused, motivated and positive as they create a whole new lifestyle."

Participants have full use of Centre Club facilities and meet monthly as a group, reviewing exercise, nutrition and behavioral issues. The latter half of these meetings is set aside for participants to exchange stories, share tips, and generally support each other.