Fenton Bariatrics

Do you suffer from Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or obstructive sleep apnea as a result of excess weight? Have you tried everything in your power to lose the excess weight that is the cause of these health conditions, but nothing has worked? If so, you may want to try bariatric surgery. If you are living in Fenton Missouri, then Ricks Bariatrics wants to help you on your weight loss journey. There are many options of surgeries that you could, that are personalized or specific to your needs, that you can get in order to help you lose the weight that is causing these conditions. At Ricks Bariatrics, our team wants to help you come up with a personalized plan to help you lose the excess weight. Our team will sit down with you to help you create a personalized diet and exercise plan that in addition to the surgery will help you on your weight loss journey.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a type of surgery that will help you lose excess weight, if it is having a negative impact on your health. The health conditions that would be a result from the excess weight would include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea. However, the surgery alone is not the answer to long term weight loss. Without continued dietary changes, and an exercise plan, these different types of surgeries will not be effective. There are multiple different types of surgeries that could be performed. SOme of these surgeries are restrictive and will restrict the amount of food that your stomach is able to hold, others will reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, while others will actually do both.  Before getting the surgery, you will have the chance to sit down with Dr. Ricks and make a plan of what surgery will best suit your specific situation. 

What are the Different Types of Bariatric Surgery?

As previously mentioned, there are multiple different kinds of bariatric surgery that could be best suited for you. Just as each patient is unique and has their own situation and set of circumstances, each surgery has a different purpose. Before getting a surgery, you will have the chance to sit with Dr. Ricks to find a plan that will best help you on your own specific weight loss surgery.

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass surgery is one where a small pouch about the size of a banana is created from the stomach. Then the small intestine will be connected to the newly created pouch. This procedure will result in letting your food essentially bypass your stomach and be directly absorbed by the small intestine. The gastric bypass is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery that people get. However, the surgery itself will not ensure long-term weight loss, it is essential that you stick to the diet and exercise plan that was made, as well as quit smoking. 

Duodenal Switch

The duodenal switch is a type of surgery that modifies both the small intestine and the stomach. Part of the stomach will be removed which will result in a restricted amount of food that the stomach will be able to hold. It will also include an intestinal bypass in the surgery. What this type of surgery does is makes your stomach smaller which will help you feel fuller for longer. It also shortens the path that the food will need to travel through the small intestine This will also result in a reduction in the amount of hunger hormones that are produced which will help you feel less hungry. However, if there is not a healthy diet that is eaten, with an appropriate portion control and an exercise plan, it will not result in long term weight loss. 

Sleeve

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as the sleeve, is a restrictive type of bariatric surgery. In this type of surgery, the surgeon will go in and create a small, sleeve shaped stomach that is about the size of a banana. This will help limit the amount of food that is able to be eaten and will help you feel fuller for a longer amount of time. As with the other types of bariatric surgery, you will need to do your part in watching diet and exercise throughout the process.

Lap Band

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, also known as a “lap band” is a restrictive procedure in which there is a silicone band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach. What this does is it restricts the amount of food that is able to be in the stomach by taking a smaller stomach pouch. This will result in you feeling fuller faster, and for a longer time so that you will not be as hungry, and will not be able to eat as much food. To maintain the weight loss you will need to make sure to follow the plans that are made with the doctor so that you can maintain the long term weight loss.

Orbera Balloon

The Orbera balloon is a procedure that is intended for people who suffer from obesity. Pateints who qualify for the Orbera balloon will have the balloon placed in their stomach for no longer than 6 months. While the balloon is in the stomach, patients cannot expect to see any results unless they follow the diet and exercise plan that will be made with Dr. Ricks.

Why Choose Ricks Bariatrics?

Choosing the right doctor to help you on your weight loss journey, is no small decision. Dr. Ricks at Ricks Bariatrics provides highly skilled medical care to each of his patients. He is an advanced laparoscopic general surgeon who has specialized in bariatric surgery. He has performed 2000+ Bariatric Surgeries and is certified to perform laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and duodenal switch procedure. Dr. Ricks has received the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, designation. This means his Surgical Mastery has Proven Outcomes: BSCOE status is earned through measurable patient successes. He has consistently achieved outstanding weight loss results. He and his support staff are committed to treating each of his patients with care and compassion, to ensure the best experience possible. However, the expert care does not end once the procedure is complete. We strive to offer our patients the best care before, during and after the surgery is completed.

Contact Us

If you are ready to take the steps necessary to help you lose weight, after you have tried everything else, then contact us today! We want to help you out on your weight loss journey.