LAP-BAND® System Adjustable Gastric Banding, Gastric Bypass Surgery, and More - Cincinnati Area

Losing weight on your own, or even with the aid of a trainer or other professional, is extremely challenging. Even if they have some initial success, most people ultimately regain much of the weight they lose. Committing to a weight loss program at Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions is the best way to attempt to break this cycle. We partner with each patient to develop a lifelong plan for weight loss and healthy living, offering long-term support and medical expertise to make weight loss possible through non-surgical means and advanced weight loss surgery for patients suffering from obesity. At our Fairfield, Ohio practice serving Cincinnati and surrounding areas, we provide Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, LAP-BAND® and REALIZE™ Band adjustable gastric banding systems, weight loss counseling and support services, and much more.

Tens of thousands of weight loss procedures are performed annually in the United States. Patients who choose surgical weight loss report dramatically improved quality of life, including better health, better self-esteem, and a more satisfying social life. Visit our success gallery to see what our program can do for you.

• Medically Supervised Weight Loss
• Surgical Weight Loss
  • Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
    • The Gastric Bypass Procedure
    • Recovering from Gastric Bypass Surgery
    • Benefits of Gastric Bypass
    • Risks of Gastric Bypass
  • Adjustable Gastric Banding
    • The Gastric Banding Procedure
    • Recovering from Gastric Banding
    • Benefits of Gastric Banding
    • Risks of Gastric Banding
  • Other Weight Loss Surgeries
    • Sleeve Gastrectomy
    • Biliopancreatic Diversion
  • Revision Surgery
• Transfer Patients

Medically Supervised Weight Loss

Patients at Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions enjoy an individually developed, medically supervised weight loss plan that incorporates proper nutrition and exercise based on the latest medical advances. Our medical weight loss experts can supervise your dietary and exercise habits, helping you modify your behavior to lose weight more effectively. With weight-conscious facilities, including private on-site exercise facilities developed specifically for overweight patients, choosing Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions makes it as easy as possible to lose weight without surgery.

Surgical Weight Loss

Weight loss surgery is in no way a quick and easy solution to obesity, but does play a significant role in the fight against it. There are several surgical options available to fit the unique needs of each patient, but all of them require a lifelong commitment to a healthy new lifestyle. Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions is committed to staying at the forefront of surgical weight loss, keeping abreast of medical and technological advances for the benefit of our patients.

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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

At our practice, gastric bypass surgery is provided because of its long-term effectiveness. During gastric bypass surgery, the digestive tract is reconfigured, reducing the capacity of the stomach and bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The result is a limiting of both food intake and calorie absorption. This procedure is currently the most popular weight loss surgery in the United States owing to its long-term effectiveness when coupled with appropriate nutrition and exercise practices.

The Gastric Bypass Procedure

During the gastric bypass procedure, our Medical Director and surgeon, Dr. Joe Northup, M.D., F.A.C.S., staples the stomach horizontally, separating it into two parts. The larger portion, along with the upper section of the small intestine, is disconnected from the digestive tract. The remaining stomach pouch is then reconnected to the small intestine. This new configuration both limits the amount of food that can be consumed and the number of calories absorbed from that food. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is named after the Swiss surgeon, Albert Roux, and the 'Y' shape that is created by the redirected small intestine.

At our Cincinnati area weight loss center, Dr. Northup performs both laparoscopic and traditional open gastric bypass surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is a relatively new technique in which surgery is performed through a series of small incisions with the aid of a flexible camera. The laparoscopic procedure has the benefit of a quicker recovery time and fewer incision-related complications than traditional open surgery, but may not be an option for every patient. Whether your gastric bypass is open or laparoscopic, it will be performed under general anesthesia. The surgery lasts several hours, and requires a hospital stay of three to five days.

Recovering from Gastric Bypass Surgery

After surgery, patients cannot eat for one to three days while the stomach heals. Foods are gradually re-introduced to the diet over the next few months, beginning with an all-liquid diet and eventually incorporating a wider range of foods as the body grows accustomed to the new digestive tract. Because the size of the stomach has been reduced, gastric bypass patients need to eat very small meals several times a day. Each gastric bypass surgery patient works with our nutrition counselors before and after surgery to plan a diet that meets their needs for weight loss and nutrition.

As the body adjusts to rapid weight loss and a new diet, it is not uncommon for patients to feel tired, achy, sick, and even depressed. This is generally the most challenging part of the weight loss process. If you do experience these symptoms post gastric bypass surgery, our Cincinnati area staff can help you deal with them appropriately. Weight loss surgery represents a lifelong commitment on the part of both patients and healthcare providers, and the staff of Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions will do everything possible to help you succeed. We offer counseling services and comprehensive medical care to help our patients succeed in their commitment to health.

Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

The most important benefit of gastric bypass surgery is that it promotes the quickest weight loss of any surgical procedure. It is normal for patients to lose at least half of their excess weight within two years of surgery, and with adherence to the right diet and exercise plan patients typically keep most of that weight off in the long-term.

Gastric bypass surgery also tends to improve or resolve obesity-related health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). By resolving such conditions, gastric bypass indirectly reduces the risk of heart attack, heart disease, and cancer, improving life expectancy as well as quality of life. At our Cincinnati area practice, Dr. Joe Northup and our staff provide Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery to help patients enjoy increased self-esteem, improved health, and longer lives. With these considerations on the forefront of our minds, we understand how important weight loss surgery can be for our patients, and are dedicate to providing the quality service that each person deserves.

Risks of Gastric Bypass

Our medical team is highly trained and has an excellent safety record. Nonetheless, like all surgeries, gastric bypass involves some risks. The risk of developing complications after surgery varies based on the age and general health of the patient. Possible risks include:

• Death: Death is very uncommon among gastric bypass patients, but it is possible. Statistics indicate that about one in 200-300 gastric bypass patients may die from surgery.
• Blood Clots: After surgery, some patients experience blood clots in the legs. These blood clots may be dangerous if they travel the lungs to cause a pulmonary embolism. Light walking and using compression wraps on the legs can help patients avoid clots. Smoking is also linked to blood clots; it is highly recommended that you quit smoking before undergoing surgery.
• Incision Hernia: Occasionally, patients develop a hernia at the site of a surgical incision. Laparoscopic surgery decreases the risk of hernia because it uses smaller incisions.
• Narrowing of the Stomach Opening: In rare cases the opening that connects the stomach and the small intestine may narrow, creating digestive problems. This can usually be solved through an outpatient procedure in which a tube is inserted through the mouth to widen the opening, but it may require corrective surgery.
• Dumping Syndrome: When the contents of the stomach move too quickly through the digestive system, they can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and sweating. This complication is often caused by sweets and high-fat foods, and can usually be controlled through dietary changes to eliminate the problem foods.
• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency: Because the amount of food a person can eat is so limited after gastric bypass surgery, it is often difficult to meet the body's requirements for vitamins and minerals. Vitamin supplements are the best solution to this problem.

There are a variety of other potential complications associated with gastric bypass, including dehydration, low blood sugar, ulcers, gallstones, and kidney stones.

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Adjustable Gastric Banding

Adjustable gastric banding is a popular alternative to gastric bypass surgery. LAP-BAND® System surgery and the REALIZE® Band are two highly effective adjustable gastric banding options provided at our Cincinnati area practice. Importantly, should any modifications be necessary after the procedure is complete, the gastric band can be adjusted through a port just underneath the skin. These systems are the best available today, giving you options for safe, effective surgical weight loss.

The Gastric Banding Procedure

During the procedure, Dr. Northup wraps an inflatable band around the stomach, using it to separate the stomach into two sections. A small opening between sections allows the food to be digested primarily in the upper section, effectively reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold in order to promote weight loss. Gastric banding is a laparoscopic procedure, meaning it requires only small incisions and the use of camera equipment to see inside the body.

Recovering from Gastric Banding

Because gastric banding is a laparoscopic procedure that does not require any permanent alteration of the digestive tract, it has a quicker recovery time than most other forms of surgery. Most patients are discharged from the hospital within a day or two, and can return to most normal activities within a week. Patients can only have clear liquids for several days, followed by a wider variety of liquids for the next few weeks. About a month after surgery, patients can begin reintroducing certain solid foods into their diet. Patients who choose gastric banding typically lose weight more gradually than gastric bypass patients, but adjustable gastric banding patients are less likely to regain the weight over time. At Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions we provide thorough information to help patients prepare for LAP-BAND® System and REALIZE® Band surgery.

Benefits of Gastric Banding

One important advantage of gastric banding is that the gastric band can be adjusted or removed, if necessary. After surgery, the band can be adjusted through a port that is implanted just beneath the skin, allowing Dr. Northup to fine-tune the procedure to help control side effects and optimize weight loss. These adjustments do not require additional surgery. In addition, adjustable gastric banding is less invasive than gastric bypass surgery because it does not require reconfiguring of the digestive tract. Therefore, patients typically recover more quickly and experience fewer complications.

Risks of Gastric Banding

Gastric banding is one of the safest forms of weight loss surgery, especially when performed by a trained medical professional like Dr. Northup. However, certain risks and complications are still associated with the procedure. Possible risks include:

• Infection: We use the most stringent sterile standards, making infections from surgery extremely unlikely.
• Band slippage or leakage: n some cases, the band may slip or leak after surgery, causing digestive problems. If this happens, corrective surgery may be required to repair, replace, or remove the gastric band.
• Band erosion: In rare instances, In rare instances, the gastric band can erode into the stomach. This condition must be corrected surgically.
• Stomach pains when eating: Many patients find it difficult to adjust to post-operative meal sizes and inadvertently overeat. Eating more than the stomach can hold can cause pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Access port complications: Occasionally, the access port that allows post-surgical band adjustments may leak or become twisted. This condition requires a less invasive follow-up surgery to correct.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Particularly in the early phases of recovery when you are on an all-liquid diet, nutrition is important to watch closely. Appropriate nutritional supplements will be provided as necessary.
• Death: The possibility of death with gastric banding is very remote, but as with any surgery it is a possibility. Current estimates place the risk of death well below one percent.

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Other Weight Loss Surgeries

Though we most commonly perform Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and LAP-BAND® System and REALIZE® Band adjustable gastric banding procedures at our Cincinnati area practice, Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions offers other alternatives as part of our commitment to offering treatment with the best options available for your needs.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

In sleeve gastrectomy, Dr. Northup divides the stomach vertically, reducing its capacity by about 70 percent. The remaining portion of the stomach is about the size and shape of a banana. Although this procedure reduces the size of the stomach, it allows the digestive system to function naturally, which lowers the risk of complications.

Weight loss occurs more gradually with sleeve gastrectomy than with gastric bypass surgery. However, sleeve gastrectomy is sometimes the best option for patients who are too overweight to undergo gastric bypass safely. These patients can first undergo sleeve gastrectomy to lose some weight and become healthier, then have the gastric sleeve converted to a gastric bypass for quicker weight loss.

Biliopancreatic Diversion

In biliopancreatic diversion, Dr. Northup removes about 80 percent of the stomach, leaving the valve that connects the stomach to the small intestine. The procedure bypasses most of the small intestine, instead connecting the stomach to a lower portion of the intestine. This procedure is effective for weight loss and safer than gastric bypass for extremely overweight patients, but may cause greater nutritional deficiencies.

Revision Surgery

While it doesn’t happen often, some patients may need to have a prior surgery revised. If you have had bariatric surgery and are unhappy with the results, please contact our office to arrange a private consultation with Dr. Northup to determine if revision surgery is right for you.

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Transfer Patients

Life happens. If you are patient who has had bariatric surgery and has moved away from your initial program or if your current program is no longer meeting your needs, Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions would be pleased to have you join our program. You are welcome to attend one of our free patient information sessions or you may schedule a private consultation with one of our team members. All transfer patients will be expected to pay a program fee. Office visits with our staff may be covered by insurance or may be self-pay. Contact our office for more information.

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Contact Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions

For information about obesity or weight loss, please feel free to contact us at any time. Our staff will answer your questions, provide an information packet, guide you through the registration process, and schedule you for a preliminary health risk assessment. At our Cincinnati area practice in Fairfield, we are committed to providing gastric bypass, LAP-BAND® System adjustable gastric banding, and other weight loss procedures in a caring and comfortable environment.

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