Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
Our Approach to Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) can be a life-altering, and potentially lifesaving, option for people with obesity. Our skilled, compassionate bariatric surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to help you achieve safe, long-lasting weight loss.
Bariatric surgery on its own isn’t a complete cure for obesity. That’s why we also provide ongoing care and support to help you maintain your weight loss and healthy lifestyle.
What We Offer You for Weight Loss Surgery
- Expertise in managing obesity and obesity-related health conditions
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques that require only tiny incisions and result in fewer complications and faster recovery
- Comprehensive, coordinated approach to weight management that may include surgery, medication, and lifestyle changes
- Convenient virtual appointments that allow you to receive most of your pre- and post-op care without coming to the hospital
- Ongoing, supportive care to help you maintain your weight loss for life
Interested in an Online Second Opinion?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely, and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
What to Expect
Before
During
After
Before the Procedure
Before you decide to have surgery, we make sure you understand the whole process and are ready for the changes it will bring. Watch this video to learn more about weight loss surgery options.
The process leading up to bariatric surgery can take about six months due to insurance requirements. During that time, you have multiple appointments with your surgeon and other members of the weight management team. They go over your health history and perform exams and tests to ensure surgery goes smoothly.
You also meet with a mental health specialist to discuss the emotional challenges and changes you might experience. Our nutrition specialists will help you understand how your dietary needs will change.
All of these presurgical appointments are done virtually from your home. Before surgery, we also work with your insurance company to navigate coverage for the procedure.
During the Procedure
You’ll be briefly admitted to the hospital for your surgery. During the procedure, you are under general anesthesia (i.e. fully asleep). Your surgeon makes 4-5 tiny incisions on your abdomen and performs the surgery using minimally invasive, laparoscopic techniques. This leads to less pain and faster recovery, typically allowing you to return home on the following day after a short overnight observation.
After the Procedure
Most people can return home within 24 hours of surgery. Within two weeks, you should be able to resume most of your normal activities.
You’ll be on a liquid diet for two weeks before you can begin adding pureed foods and soft foods another two weeks later. It will take another two weeks before you’re able to return to eating solid foods. During this time, you’ll work closely with a dietitian to ensure you’re getting the right amounts of calories and nutrients.
Within days of having weight loss surgery, obesity-related health conditions start to improve. Even before losing any weight, people see improvements in their blood sugar levels. In about 80% of people, A1C levels return to normal and they no longer need to take diabetes medication.
You’ll have follow-up visits with your surgeon and other members of the weight management team at least once a year. Most of these appointments are virtual. We use these check-ins to monitor your health and provide the support you need to manage your weight for life.
Before the Procedure
Before you decide to have surgery, we make sure you understand the whole process and are ready for the changes it will bring. Watch this video to learn more about weight loss surgery options.
The process leading up to bariatric surgery can take about six months due to insurance requirements. During that time, you have multiple appointments with your surgeon and other members of the weight management team. They go over your health history and perform exams and tests to ensure surgery goes smoothly.
You also meet with a mental health specialist to discuss the emotional challenges and changes you might experience. Our nutrition specialists will help you understand how your dietary needs will change.
All of these presurgical appointments are done virtually from your home. Before surgery, we also work with your insurance company to navigate coverage for the procedure.
close Before
During the Procedure
You’ll be briefly admitted to the hospital for your surgery. During the procedure, you are under general anesthesia (i.e. fully asleep). Your surgeon makes 4-5 tiny incisions on your abdomen and performs the surgery using minimally invasive, laparoscopic techniques. This leads to less pain and faster recovery, typically allowing you to return home on the following day after a short overnight observation.
close During
After the Procedure
Most people can return home within 24 hours of surgery. Within two weeks, you should be able to resume most of your normal activities.
You’ll be on a liquid diet for two weeks before you can begin adding pureed foods and soft foods another two weeks later. It will take another two weeks before you’re able to return to eating solid foods. During this time, you’ll work closely with a dietitian to ensure you’re getting the right amounts of calories and nutrients.
Within days of having weight loss surgery, obesity-related health conditions start to improve. Even before losing any weight, people see improvements in their blood sugar levels. In about 80% of people, A1C levels return to normal and they no longer need to take diabetes medication.
You’ll have follow-up visits with your surgeon and other members of the weight management team at least once a year. Most of these appointments are virtual. We use these check-ins to monitor your health and provide the support you need to manage your weight for life.
close After
Our Clinics
The Stanford Health Care Weight Management Program brings together a team of weight loss specialists to provide comprehensive obesity treatment. Our experts include bariatric surgeons, obesity medicine specialists, endocrinologists, dietitians, and advanced practice providers. Together, they help each patient decide on the right path toward weight loss. That may include surgery, weight loss medications, lifestyle changes—or a combination of treatments.
Our bariatric surgeons are committed to excellence in weight loss surgery. But we understand that surgery may not be the only treatment you’re considering. We’re here to help you understand your options and provide all the information you need to support your decision-making process.
To make an appointment with a weight management specialist, call 650-736-5800.