Bariatric Obesity Surgery

By Houston, Texas Plastic Surgeon & Cosmetic Surgeon,
Dr. Mark Schusterman and Dr. Patrick Hsu

Weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) is a major, life changing decision that can be made after carefully weighing all your options. These procedures are for severely obese patients with obesity related medical problems or for morbidly obese patients. Patients must consider both the benefits of the surgery and the possibility of risks and complications. Surgery is a tool, a very effective one when used properly, to help you become healthier and to live a longer and more fulfilling life. Long term success requires permanent lifestyle changes and a life long partnership with your surgeon.

How does it work?

Weight loss surgery has been performed in the United States since the late 1960s. Surgery can alter the way your body takes in or absorbs food:

• Restrictive
  Limits the amount of food that can be eaten.
• Malabsorptive
  The digestive system is rerouted so that not all the food that is eaten is completely absorbed. In addition, high calorie foods, mainly sweets, can lead to "dumping syndrome."
• Restrictive/Malabsorptive
  A combination of the two classifications.

Our surgeons are fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery and prefer to perform all our operations Laparoscopically. This involves making several small stab incisions to introduce a camera and surgical instruments to perform the surgeries. We are also the first practice to perform Single Incision Laparoscopic bariatric surgery (adjustable gastric band and gastric sleeve) in Houston. We now routinely perform Single Incision Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Bands. All of the minimally invasive techniques lead to faster recovery, less pain and decrease complication rates when compared to traditional open surgeries.

For further information regarding bariatric obesity surgery, call the Museum District Aesthetic Plastic Surgery office at 713-794-0368 or fill out our contact form.