Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a medically proven way to treat obesity and has helped many people live a more fulfilling, active and healthier life. But it is part of an entire process of change.
You may have already tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, and these major lifestyle changes haven’t worked. You might want to be able to play with your kids, climb the stairs again, and you wonder if you’ll have support before, during and after bariatric surgery.
That’s why our entire team is here: for you. The OSF Little Company of Mary Bariatric Surgery Center is committed to high standards of quality for its surgical procedures as well as the complete lifestyle assistance that must accompany them. This section prepares you for weight loss surgery and explains the different surgical options available at our center.
Bariatric surgery can be particularly effective because it decreases the amount of food a patient can intake or reduces the amount the body can absorb or metabolize. The result of these procedures and continued support is that, over time, patients can lose up to 60-80% of their excess body weight over one year with gastric bypass surgery.
Awards & Recognition
The OSF Little Company of Mary Bariatric Surgery Center is an accredited program and recognized by national organizations for our expertise, multidisciplinary approach to care and focus on our patients’ wellbeing.
Are You a Candidate?
The typical candidate for bariatric treatment at OSF Little Company of Mary is 18-64 years old or has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater.
A patient is also a candidate if their BMI is between 35 and 40 and has one of the following obesity-related conditions:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart problems (cardiovascular disease)
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Degenerative joint disease
All candidates should have tried yet failed multiple weight loss attempts through diets, exercise, behavior changes or weight loss drugs and exhibit a willingness to participate in the multidisciplinary program at OSF Little Company of Mary. A strong determination and commitment to changing your lifestyle partnered with education are the main tools any bariatric patient needs to be a truly successful candidate.
Talk with Our Bariatric Coordinator
Schedule a consultation: (708) 229-4018
Talk with our bariatric coordinator: (708) 229-4007
Meet our Bariatric Surgeons
-
Bariatric Surgery Center Mission
-
The goal of the Little Company of Mary Bariatric Surgery Center is to provide excellent, personalized, local care for patients requesting weight loss surgery. We strive to assist you on achieving a realistic goal weight, a positive attitude about your health and an overall improved lifestyle. By strictly adhering to the recommendations and guidelines of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, we look forward in helping you in your journey for a longer life of healthy living.
Because proper weight control management requires a motivated patient and continued support, we offer a multi-disciplinary program for healthy weight loss. We offer a wide range of services lead by an integrated team of specialists that will talk with you and explain every procedure in detail as well as keys for long-term success.
-
Our Services
-
-
Comprehensive surgical consultation
-
Minimally invasive laparoscopic and open gastric bypass surgery
-
Nutritional counseling
-
Psychological support and workshops
-
Monthly support group meetings
-
Long-term follow-up, including medical, nutritional and metabolic evaluation
-
-
Advanced, Minimally-Invasive Procedures
-
Specializing in minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, including:
-
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery– is the most frequently performed and most researched weight loss surgery in the United States. During this procedure, a small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach and part of the intestine is attached to this pouch. Food bypasses a section of the intestine and reduces calorie absorption. The smaller stomach pouch limits the amount of food that can be ingested, so an altered diet and smaller portion sizes become a part of the lifestyle change.
-
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy– is recommended as a restrictive surgery and is performed as an alternative to Lap Band surgery. A portion of the stomach is removed and the remainder is formed into a sleeve without any intestinal detachment (re-routing). A smaller stomach causes patients to eat less but still feel full. An altered diet and smaller portion sizes are part of a lifelong change needed with this procedure. Because a portion of the stomach is removed, this surgery is not reversible.
These procedures represent the latest advancements in bariatric surgery. With a lower rate of complications, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal activities, these procedures let you begin a new lifestyle sooner.
-
-
Weight Loss Benefits
-
The medical and emotional benefits of bariatric surgery begin almost immediately. Over time these benefits can include:
-
Sustained weight loss
-
Improvement or resolution of Type 2 diabetes
-
Lower blood pressure
-
Lower cholesterol
-
Improvement of sleep apnea
-
Improved mobility
-
Reduced osteoarthritis pain
-
Higher energy level
-
Improved self-esteem
-
-
Becoming a Patient
-
The first step is to call (708) 229-4018. From there, you'll meet with a program surgeon to determine what kind of surgery is best for you. You'll learn about available surgical procedures, possible side effects and how your habits will have to change. A strong determination and commitment to changing your lifestyle partnered with education are the main tools any bariatric patient needs to be a truly successful candidate.
We also encourage you to attend and participate in our free monthly support group where you can talk with our weight loss specialists and patients. The support group meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Cancer Center Meeting Room at OSF Little Company of Mary.
-
Post-Surgery
-
After surgery, your lifestyle will need to include a healthy diet, regular exercise and adherence to a comprehensive follow-up schedule. Within six to eight weeks, most patients return to a normal diet. You will need to chew your food well, eat slowly and refrain from drinking with your meals.
Although you should be able to eat most foods after surgery, some food intolerance may be experienced. Your hospital stay after gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy will range from 1-2 days. You will need between one to six weeks off work following surgery depending on the amount of lifting and physical activity associated with your job and your surgeon's recommendation.
-
Surgery Cases and Outcomes
-
The bariatric program at OSF Little Company of Mary Medica Center is a Center of Excellence, accredited by the metabolic and bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.
We offer the following procedures with a low rate of complications.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Gastric Bypass Number of surgeries performed at OSF LCMMC 2022 221 34 30-day Occurrence rates at OSF LCMMC 2022
Surgical Site Infection
5 Bleeding
1 Leak
0 Pneumonia
2 Average length of stay
1.2 days