Weight loss surgery
Bariatric surgeons in Alexandria, Louisiana
We offer weight loss solutions to help you feel as confident and healthy as possible.
At Rapides Regional Medical Center, we perform weight loss surgery, to help you achieve long-term health goals. However, while surgery can be rewarding, maintaining significant weight loss requires patience, dedication and hard work.
Considering weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery can be an excellent option if you struggle to lose weight and keep it off in the long term. We encourage you to take our assessment and contact our specialists today.
Weight loss surgery can be an excellent option if you struggle to lose weight and keep it off in the long term. We encourage you to take our assessment and contact our specialists today.
Our surgical weight loss program
If you are experiencing serious obesity, as well as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or joint pain, weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, may be right for you.
Types of bariatric surgery we offer
Surgery is never to be taken lightly, and should always be a last resort when medication or lifestyle changes have proven ineffective. We understand how big a decision it can be to pursue surgery, so when you come to us, we make sure you are taken care of every step of the way.
Once you begin your journey with us, you gain access to compassionate, specialized dieticians and registered nurses (RNs), as well as size-friendly furnishings and equipment for your comfort and safety. At our facility, we will work to monitor, educate, support and encourage you before and after your procedure.
Our weight loss surgeons are equipped to perform multiple procedures, including:
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) — Creates a new stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine to it, minimizing the absorption of calories
- Vertical sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve surgery — Removes a large portion of your stomach to restrict the amount of food you can eat
To learn more about the surgical weight loss program at our hospital, please call our program coordinator at (318) 769-3822.
Candidates for weight loss surgery
To assess whether weight loss surgery is right for you, we primarily take into account your height and weight ratio. Most women over 220 pounds and men over 240 pounds are deemed eligible.
Potential candidates typically have:
- 35 to 39.9 body mass index (BMI) with one or more serious conditions
- BMI of 40 or higher
- Desire to follow the rules of our program
- Understanding that the surgical process requires lifestyle changes to maximize success
Calculate your BMI
BMI is a simple calculation based on your body weight and height. For the general population, it is the standard method used to determine eligibility for weight loss surgery. You can use the tool below to calculate your current BMI.
BMI Calculator
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about surgical weight loss
You can read our collection of FAQs to learn more about what to expect before and after weight loss surgery.
General FAQs
Can surgery help other medical conditions?
Research shows that weight loss surgery can help prevent, improve or resolve health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and sleep apnea.
How will I prepare for surgery?
Preparation for surgery is just as important for success as the procedure itself. Over the course of four to six months before surgery, you will meet with various doctors, including your weight loss surgeon and your primary care physician. You will have lab work drawn and additional preoperative testing. Specialty appointments, such as with a cardiologist or endocrinologist, may be necessary depending on your medical history. Based on the requirements of your insurance company, you will also meet with a mental health professional, a dietitian and an exercise specialist.
Is this type of surgery dangerous?
With current laparoscopic and robotic techniques, surgical weight loss is safer than ever before.
Do most people regain their weight?
A small number of people can regain their weight, but the vast majority are able to keep this weight off. However, this success is dependent upon by adhering to the diet and exercise plan you and your team will have devised prior to surgery.
How long do I have to stay in the hospital?
The average hospital stay for sleeve and bypass surgery is one to two days.
How soon will I be able to walk?
Almost immediately after surgery. We will want you out of bed and walking, to prevent infection in the lungs and restore bowel function as soon as possible.
Will I get excess skin?
Not everyone has excess skin after surgery. Those with more muscle mass may have less. We stress the importance of exercise once the weight starts to come off, and in the event that you are left with excess skin, there are plastic surgery skin procedures that can help.
Will I have to take vitamins after surgery?
It is highly recommended that you take a multivitamin in perpetuity, as you may need higher doses of iron, calcium and vitamin D. However, there is a lower requirement for a sleeve gastrectomy than for RYGB. As long as you take your vitamins as instructed, it is rare to have health problems associated with vitamin deficiency. We will monitor you closely to ensure no deficiency develops.
Defining and detailing obesity
Hear from our surgeon, who discusses obesity and some of the health risks associated with it.