Surgical Weight Loss

Surgery is one part of weight loss care, not the whole story. You also need information, preparation and ongoing support. We work with you to review your medical history, talk through each procedure and prepare you for what life after surgery may look like.

For many people, surgery comes after many attempts to manage weight in other ways. When it fits, bariatric surgery can be added to your overall plan to manage weight-related health problems.

Treatment Options: What Care May Include

At Arkansas Bariatric Institute, the surgical procedures available may include:

• Sleeve gastrectomy
• Gastric bypass
• SADI-S (single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy)
• Revisional bariatric surgery
• Gastric band repair or removal

Surgical Weight Loss, Other Weight Loss Approaches and GLP-1 Medications

Many patients want to understand how bariatric surgery compares with medical weight loss and GLP-1 medications. These are not interchangeable options, and they are not right for every patient in the same way.

Medical weight loss is a nonsurgical path that may include nutrition support, lifestyle guidance and prescription medications when appropriate. GLP-1 medications are part of a medical approach and can be helpful for some patients. Surgery is another option for people who may need more intensive treatment or a different long-term plan.

Our role is to explain how each option works, not to steer you into one decision. We want you to have enough information to discuss what aligns with your health, goals and medical history.

Who May Be a Candidate

The best way to find out if surgery is an option for you is to schedule a consultation. In general, we consider your body mass index (BMI), weight-related health conditions, past weight loss attempts, overall health, and your ability to commit to follow-up and lifestyle changes.

During your evaluation, we will discuss whether surgical weight loss is appropriate and what steps will come next if you choose to move forward.

What to Expect

Your surgical weight loss care typically includes several steps. These may include an initial consultation, discussion of procedure options, nutrition and lifestyle guidance, assistance with insurance and scheduling, preparation before surgery and follow-up visits after surgery.

The exact path can vary based on your health, insurance requirements and the type of procedure you have. Your care team will explain each step and answer questions along the way.

Support Throughout Your Journey

Support does not end after your procedure. We continue to see you to answer questions, adjust your plan and monitor your progress. Your hospital may offer nutrition counseling, education sessions, scheduled follow-up visits and other support from your care team.

Arkansas Bariatric Institute surgeries are performed at Saline Memorial Hospital.