Surgical Weight Loss

At Munson Healthcare, our team of experienced weight loss (bariatric) surgeons is here to help you make the best decision for your health. We only recommend surgery when it’s truly the right option for you.

Weight loss surgery can lead to big improvements in your health. It may help reduce or even eliminate serious conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. 

But surgery isn’t the right choice for everyone. It’s a big decision that requires careful thought. Bariatric surgery can help you reach your long-term health goals—but it works best when you’re committed to making lifelong changes to your eating habits and physical activity.

Is Surgical Weight Loss Right for You?

You're likely a strong candidate for bariatric surgery if:

• You have a BMI of 40 or higher
• Your BMI is between 35 and 39.9 and you have obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease

Northern Michigan’s Leading Bariatric Program

Weight loss surgery is performed at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City by experienced, skilled surgeons from the Munson Healthcare Traverse General Surgery and Trauma Care team. We believe in a comprehensive approach to promote weight loss success. Our multidisciplinary team of surgeons, nurses, medical consultants, nutritionists, psychologists, and exercise physiologists work together to help you achieve your health and weight loss goals.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery has been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health as the only effective means of accomplishing significant long-term for severely obese patients. Munson Medical Center offers several types of weight loss surgery. What's right for you will depend on your unique needs and goals. Procedures we perform include:

Sleeve Gastrectomy

About three-quarters of the stomach is removed, leaving a long narrow tube about the size of a banana, which allows only a small amount of food at one time. This procedure typically leads to a loss of about 20 to 30% of body weight. Because the gastric sleeve does not involve intestinal surgery, this procedure has a lower risk of surgical and nutritional complications than other options, but patients are at greater risk for developing acid reflux.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Through tiny incisions, the stomach is made into a small pouch that restricts food intake. The pouch is rerouted to a lower part of the small intestine, allowing food to bypass most of the stomach and part of the intestine, reducing calorie and nutrient absorption. This surgery commonly leads to weight loss of 25 to 35% of body weight. Roux-en-Y is the most effective surgery for GERD (acid reflux), but patients are more likely to develop dumping syndrome, in which food moves too quickly through the digestive system, and ulcers.

Duodenal Switch

This procedure involves both the sleeve gastrectomy and a longer intestinal bypass, causing food to bypass about half the intestine. It typically results in a 45-50% reduction in weight. This surgery is often the best option for patients with a BMI over 50 or severe type 2 diabetes. This procedure has a higher risk of surgical and nutritional complications, as well as diarrhea.

Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Illeal Bypass

The single anastomosis duodenal-illeal bypass (SADI), is a simplified version of duodenal switch that promotes similar weight loss success but typically involves fewer complications.

Ongoing Support

Our support of your goals continues long after surgery! We host free, online groups each month to allow patients to learn from each other and Munson Healthcare experts.

Click here to learn more about our support groups.

Take the First Step

Are you ready to take the first step toward weight loss surgery? Complete our interest form, then watch our free, online educational seminar. Our office will contact you to discuss options.

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Questions? Call Traverse General Surgery & Trauma Care at 231-935-2400.