Obesity is a serious disease that affects your physical, mental, emotional and social health. Our Weight-loss Surgery Program offers safe and effective ways to help you eat less, lose those extra pounds and change your life.
Individuals who are more than 100 pounds overweight are considered morbidly obese.
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Cancer
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Infertility
- Breathing Difficulties
- Depression
- Stroke
Bariatric surgery reduces the size of your stomach and limits the number of calories you absorb. It prompts hormonal changes that reduce your hunger and appetite and help you feel full faster and with fewer calories. When used alongside a balanced diet and exercise, the results can be life-changing.
The surgical weight-loss program at Baptist Health South Florida offers some of the most advanced care options in the region, including robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.
We also offer patients the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS®) program to help them succeed following their weight-loss surgery procedure. This program is designed to:
- Minimize complications
- Shorten recovery time
- Decrease hormonal stress related to surgery
ERAS® starts with pre-surgery medication to prevent pain and nausea and a special liquid diet that eliminates the need for a pre-surgery fast. After-surgery care eliminates the standard tubes and drains and includes early mobility and rehydration for best results.
You deserve customized solutions that take your individual health needs and weight-loss history into account. Our team partners with you throughout every phase of your weight loss. We’ll be by your side from your initial consultation, through pre-op preparation and insurance approval, surgery, recovery and the years that follow.
What weight-loss surgeries are offered by Baptist Health South Florida?
We specialize in robotic laparoscopic weight-loss surgery, which enables your surgeon to perform bariatric surgery by directing the robot’s movements from a control console in the operating room, but away from the operating table. The robot provides a three-dimensional view of your internal organs, which improves visibility and increases your surgeon’s precision and accuracy during the procedure.
This robot-assisted approach to weight-loss surgery has many other benefits, including:
- Less time needed to complete the surgery.
- Faster recovery time with fewer complications.
- Minimal pain during recovery.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
What to Expect
Hear what our patients are saying.
“I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and was borderline diabetic. The best thing that I have gained after the surgery is health."
Alfredo | Surgery Patient
"I feel a lot healthier, happier, and it's very exciting to have this new life."
Sophia | Surgery Patient
"The older one gets, the more one starts to say, wait a minute, I've got to do something. I used to take a lot of medications daily, and I've cut those in half."
Mario | Surgery Patient
Our Approach
Baptist Health South Florida, we believe successful, transformative weight loss requires a multidisciplinary approach that offers evidence-based solutions for the physical, mental, emotional and social changes you’re going through.
We know your care doesn’t stop with your surgery. As a Center of Excellence, we are committed to providing follow-up services for a minimum of five years following your procedure to ensure you get the long-term help you need for lasting results.
We sponsor South Florida’s largest weight-loss surgery support group every month — giving you access to guest speakers and a group of people who share your struggles and success.
Our Location
Baptist Health South Florida’s Weight-loss Surgery Program is offered at South Miami Hospital. Our program is accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. We are designated a Bariatric Surgery Center for Excellence, with all the resources you need to reach your weight-loss goals consolidated in one convenient location.
Meet the Team
Our weight-loss surgeons are pioneers in the field of robotic laparoscopic weight-loss surgery. They were among the first in the country to master this unique approach and the complementary services that have helped thousands of people lose weight successfully.
Our experts regularly publish in peer-reviewed medical literature and speak as leaders in their field at national and international bariatric surgery conferences and events.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, studies by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) show significant safety improvements in bariatric surgery. A government agency, the AHRQ reports the risk of death from weight-loss surgery as minimal – about 0.1 percent. Like any surgery, complications can occur. These include blood clots, hernia, infection, heart attack, stroke, abscess and leaking from the surgical area.
Many physicians consider the risk of obesity-related death much greater than the risks associated with weight-loss surgery.
-
Bariatric surgery is not right for everyone. Each person must evaluate the benefits and risks and decide if he or she is prepared to make the necessary lifestyle changes after weight-loss surgery. If you have a BMI of 40+ or a BMI of 35+ with an obesity-related disease, you may be a surgery candidate. To qualify for the adjustable gastric band, your BMI must be 35+ or 30+ with an obesity-related disease. If you have a history of failed diets and you are seeking weight-loss solutions, bariatric surgery may be your answer. South Miami Hospital is a designated Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Our bariatric doctors are available to discuss your concerns and answer your questions about weight-loss surgery.
-
To qualify for weight-loss surgery you must have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 or a BMI that is greater than 35 with an obesity-related disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnea.
To qualify for the adjustable gastric band, you must have a BMI of 35 or greater or one greater than 30 with an obesity-related disease.
Your surgeon will help you determine which type of surgery is best for you.
-
Once you qualify for our program, our bariatric surgeons will discuss your different surgical options. They will make recommendations based on your medical history, current health, BMI and other factors.
-
The amount of weight you lose and the speed at which you lose it depends on individual factors like the surgery you choose, your starting weight and your physical condition at the time of your surgery. Typical weight loss in the month after surgery ranges from 20 to 40 pounds.
-
Bariatric surgery dramatically reduces the amount of food you can comfortably eat. If you overeat after having weight-loss surgery, you may vomit. However, most bariatric surgery patients have no desire to overeat. Weight-loss surgery reduces the size of your stomach – you feel full sooner and stay full longer. Most patients don’t experience vomiting. If you do, please contact your surgeon immediately.
-
Yes. However, most patients keep their weight off after surgery. Long-term studies (10-14 years) demonstrate that weight-loss surgery patients maintain a greater degree of weight loss than people who did not have surgery. Many patients discover that co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension disappear. Lifestyle changes are essential to maintaining a healthy weight. Studies show that bariatric surgery patients who keep all of their doctor appointments and attend support groups have greater success with weight loss.
-
While different types of bariatric surgery have been practiced for five decades, it was not common until recently. Now, obesity surgery is increasingly common. In 2003, approximately 121,000 bariatric surgeries were performed. In 2007, an estimated 205,000 surgeries were performed. As more procedures are performed, studies are demonstrating good results for safety and weight-loss potential.
-
Your medical team will give you guidelines for foods you may eat and those you should avoid. Generally, you will be told to consume only clear liquids for the first week or so after surgery. During your second week, you may progress to skim milk and protein shakes. By the end of that week, you will most likely graduate to a puréed diet for 30 days before progressing to a soft diet.
When you are able to eat regular food again, you should avoid sugary or greasy foods. Not only are these unhealthy choices, they tend to cause digestive upset for bariatric surgery patients. Your surgeon or nutritional counselor can provide a complete list of recommended foods.
-
Yes, and in some cases it is easier to get pregnant. Female patients are advised to wait at least two years after surgery before trying to become pregnant. Your surgeon can offer advice for your individual situation.
Your surgeon is your best source of information regarding weight-loss surgery. Please discuss any additional questions with him or her. He or she can help you make an informed decision regarding your personal weight loss goals and bariatric surgery.
-
Baptist Health South Florida provides weight-loss services to adolescents, ages 14-18. Our teen-focused program involves the entire family and guides you through the process with support, comfort and understanding of adolescents’ unique challenges.