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Your Health Publication Article:
Weight-Loss Surgery

The Sutter Health Central Valley Region is pleased to bring you Your Health — a community magazine designed to help you and your family make informed decisions about your health care. You can also find answers to your health questions in our Health Resources section.

Is Weight-Loss Surgery Right for You?

Antonio Coirin, M.D.

Patrick Coates, M.D.

If you know someone who has had bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, you have witnessed the tremendous transformation that follows. Along with experiencing dramatic weight loss, many patients report feeling more hopeful, energetic and confident. “I got my life back!” is a common refrain. Bariatric surgery is not a magic fix, but when paired with healthy lifestyle changes, it’s a tool that can help you reach a healthy weight—now and for the rest of your life. If you or a loved one is considering bariatric surgery, the surgical weight-loss experts within Sutter Health’s network of care are available to discuss options and guide you through the surgery and beyond.

Change Starts Here

At Memorial Medical Center, your journey begins when you attend a free information session about bariatric surgery led by Memorial bariatric surgeons Patrick Coates, M.D., and Antonio Coirin, M.D. “The session helps patients decide whether bariatric surgery is right for them at this point in their lives,” Dr. Coates says. But this surgery is not for everyone who is overweight, he notes.

To qualify for bariatric surgery, patients must have already tried to lose weight through conventional diet and exercise. They must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher—meaning they’re about 100 pounds overweight. Patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 could also qualify, if they have at least one health problem associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma or sleep apnea.

If you decide to pursue this lifechanging procedure, a team of experts at Memorial Medical Center will guide you through several steps to evaluate your physical and mental health. You’ll consult with a dietitian to learn about the changes you’ll need to make to your diet before—and after—surgery. You’ll also meet with a psychologist to prepare you for the lifestyle changes ahead.

“Each of these steps is designed to set patients up for long-term success,” Dr. Coates says.

A Variety of Options

Surgeons at Memorial perform several types of bariatric surgeries. Your doctor will work with you to determine which one is best for you. These include:

Gastric bypass. The surgeon reduces the size of the stomach and connects it to the middle of the small intestine, bypassing the upper portion. This reduces how much you can eat, as well as how many calories you absorb.
Adjustable gastric band. The surgeon places an inflatable band around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch that holds much less food.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The surgeon removes part of the stomach and resizes the remaining portion so that the organ becomes about the shape and size of a banana.

When you have bariatric surgery at Memorial, you can rest assured that you’re receiving top-quality care: The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has recognized MMC as a “Bariatric Center of Excellence.” To receive this prestigious distinction, the hospital met rigorous standards for providing highest levels of care resulting in best outcomes for patients.

“After bariatric surgery, many patients report feeling great relief,” Dr. Coates says. “They get their energy back, and they feel they have a second chance in life. That’s an opportunity many of us would appreciate having.”

A Healthier Future — in Days!

The benefits of bariatric surgery go far beyond a slimmer figure and a smaller wardrobe. Studies show that it not only improves your quality of life, but also adds years to your life span, reports Dr. Coates. Bariatric surgery can improve many health conditions. In fact:

Within three days of surgery, 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes no longer have diabetes symptoms
Within two to three months, 85 percent of people with high blood pressure no longer need to take their blood pressure medicine
Within a few months of surgery, 85 percent of people with sleep apnea no longer need treatment

Bariatric Surgery Resources

To learn more about the Memorial Medical Center Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, click here. There, you can find details on our information sessions, view patient videos and more.