Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
Obesity Management at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Discover Your Bariatric Surgery Options for Sustainable Weight Management
Many people struggle with their weight, but in some cases, lifestyle changes aren't enough to counter adverse health effects of obesity. Today there are more weight loss options than ever before. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, we offer a variety of treatments, from nonsurgical weight loss options including Orbera, a gastric balloon that helps you lose weight by enforcing portion control, to prescription medications to bariatric surgery. These options help people lose the weight they need to stabilize their health and transform their lives.
Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery — also known as bariatric surgery — involves reducing the size of the patient's stomach. This means that they will feel full sooner, eat less, and with the help of other lifestyle changes, reduce their weight.
There are two types of bariatric surgical procedures: restrictive and malabsorptive.
- Restrictive surgery reduces the size of the stomach.
- Malabsorptive procedures reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Schedule Your Consultation for Bariatric Surgery Success Today
Types of Bariatric Surgery We Offer
The expert bariatric surgeons at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset offer the following procedures:
- Gastric sleeve. Also called sleeve gastrectomy. A surgeon uses staples to divide the stomach vertically and remove 60 to 80 percent of it. By creating a smaller stomach, the stomach fills more quickly, and the person feels satisfied from eating less food.
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This is a form of gastric bypass surgery in which the small intestine is redirected to bypass the larger portion of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine so that the body absorbs fewer calories and nutrients. The new structure forms the shape of the letter Y.
Nonsurgical Weight Loss
Have you explored all of your nonsurgical weight loss options? Learning about nutrition from a registered dietician and beginning an exercise regimen can be effective for some people. Request an appointment with one of our doctors today about your weight loss concerns. We can connect you with experts who can help you along your weight loss journey. Even if you decide to pursue additional weight loss options, managing your diet and building muscle through exercise will still be important components of maintaining a healthy weight — and a healthy lifestyle.
Medical Weight Loss
There are a number of effective medications now available that help people manage their weight. Some, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepetide), work by regulating hormones that control appetite. Other, such as Ozempic (which contains semaglutide), and Mounjaro (which contains tirzepetide), which are FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, work by regulating blood sugar levels, promoting a feeling of fullness and aiding in overall weight management.
People who have not had success losing weight through diet and exercise alone and have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40 may benefit from these medical weight loss options, which are available by prescription only. People with a BMI of 27 or more who also suffer from obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, sleep apnea or diabetes may also qualify for these prescription medications aimed at weight loss management.
It is important to note that these medications should be managed under the care of qualified medical professionals, and should be considered part of a holistic approach to health and wellness. Maintaining weight loss long-term will still require a focus on maintaining a healthy diet, portion control, and an exercise regimen. We can help guide you on your weight loss journey. Request an appointment with one of our bariatric specialists to explore this option.
Award-Winning and Accredited Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Care
As part of the award-winning hospital system, RWJBarnabas Health, we have received numerous accreditations and recognitions from state and national organizations.
Our Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery program has been awarded accreditation by The American College of Surgeons. This accreditation program, known as MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) certifies that our program has met standards of the MBSAQIP by providing high-quality and patient-centered care.
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