Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a medically proven way to treat obesity and has helped many people live a more fulfilling, active and healthier life. But it is part of an entire process of change.
You may have already tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, and these major lifestyle changes haven’t worked. You might want to be able to play with your kids, climb the stairs again, and you wonder if you’ll have support before, during and after bariatric surgery.
That’s why our entire team is here for you. This section prepares you for weight loss surgery and explains the different surgical options available at our center.
Bariatric surgery can be particularly effective because it decreases the amount of food a patient can intake or reduces the amount the body can absorb or metabolize. The result of these procedures and continued support is that, over time, patients can lose up to 60-80% of their excess body weight over one year with gastric bypass surgery.
Awards & Recognition
The OSF Little Company of Mary Bariatric Surgery Center is an accredited program and recognized by national organizations for our expertise, multidisciplinary approach to care and focus on our patients’ wellbeing.
Are You a Candidate?
The typical candidate for bariatric treatment at OSF Little Company of Mary is 18-64 years old or has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater.
A patient is also a candidate if their BMI is between 35 and 40 and has one of the following obesity-related conditions:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart problems (cardiovascular disease)
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Degenerative joint disease
All candidates should have tried yet failed multiple weight loss attempts through diets, exercise, behavior changes or weight loss drugs and exhibit a willingness to participate in the multidisciplinary program at OSF Little Company of Mary. 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.
Talk with Our Bariatric Coordinator
Schedule a consultation: (708) 229-4018
Talk with our bariatric coordinator: (708) 229-4007
Bariatric Surgery Center Mission
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.
Our Services
- 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
Advanced, Minimally-Invasive Procedures
- 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.
Weight Loss Benefits
- 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
Becoming a Patient
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.
Post-Surgery
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.
Surgery Cases and Outcomes
We offer the following procedures with a low rate of complications.
| Sleeve Gastrectomy | Gastric Bypass | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of surgeries performed at OSF LCMMC 2022 | 221 | 34 |
| 30-day Occurrence rates at OSF LCMMC 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Surgical Site Infection | 5 |
| Bleeding | 1 |
| Leak | 0 |
| Pneumonia | 2 |
| Average length of stay | 1.2 days |
