Oakville, Missouri Bariatric Surgery

Do you suffer from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol due to being overweight? If this is something that you have seen in your life or resounds with you, then you may want to consider getting bariatric surgery. Ricks Bariatrics wants to help you achieve your goals through helping you lose your excess weight. If you are in Oakville, Missouri and want to get bariatric surgery, then we want to help you achieve your goals. Dr. Ricks and his support staff will help you through the whole process, and will help you create a personalized diet and exercise plan that will be implemented along with the surgery that will help you lose the weight that has been causing these health problems.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery that you have been unable to lose yourself, after having tried dieting, and exercise programs. There are a few different kinds of bariatrics surgeries that could be considered for your personal circumstances. Some of the different types of bariatric surgeries will restrict the amount of food that your stomach can hold, others would limit the amount of nutrients that your body can absorb, while other types of the bariatric surgeries will do both of these things. Before you get your surgery, you will sit down with Dr. Ricks and he will create a plan that will go over which type of surgeries that you may need, as well as a diet and exercise plan that will need to be followed in order to see the results of the surgery. You will have to follow those plans in order to lose and keep off the weight, as the surgery will not fix everything.

Am I a Candidate?

In order to get a bariatric procedure, there are certain qualifications that will need to be met. Some of the qualifications include having a BMI of 40, or having a BMI of 35 or over but you also have health issues that are related to the excess weight and lastly, you have tried everything to lose the weight but have not been able to see results. If you meet any of these qualifications, then you may want to consider getting bariatric surgery to help you shed the excess weight. These are the requirements that were set by the National Institutes of Health, but there may be other requirements from your insurance company in order to get bariatric coverage. We will discuss this with you in the appointment.

Different Surgeries Offered

As mentioned above, there are multiple different types of bariatric surgeries that are offered by Ricks Bariatrics. Before you get your surgery Dr. Ricks and his support staff will create a plan with you to make sure that you get the surgery that will best suit your needs and own personal situation.

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass surgery is one where the stomach is made into a small pouch that is about the size of a banana. After that is done, the small intestine will then be attached to the newly created pouch. The end result of this procedure is that the food will bypass the stomach to be absorbed directly by the small intestine. This is one of the most common types of bariatric surgeries that many people who struggle losing weight get. However, this surgery alone will not ensure sustained weight loss, you will need to make sure to follow the diet and exercise plan that Dr. Ricks makes with you.

Duodenal Switch

Another common type of bariatric surgery is the duodenal switch. This type of procedure is one where both the stomach and the small intestine are modified in order to help create a solution that will help you lose weight. In this procedure, part of the stomach is removed which will result in a smaller stomach. Along with that, the small intestine will be modified which will shorten the small intestine. The result of these two modifications will make you feel fuller faster, and for longer, as the stomach is smaller, along with the shortened small intestine which will shorten the path that the food has to travel through. This will reduce the amount of hunger hormones that you feel, which will result in you feeling hungry less of the time. Just as with the other bariatric surgeries, this procedure alone will not help you lose weight unless your diet and exercise plan is followed. 

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. This makes the stomach pouch smaller so that it will not be able to hold as much food in it. This will help you feel fuller faster and for longer. Just as with the other bariatric surgeries, you will need to make sure to follow the plans that you made with the Dr. and the support staff.

Sleeve

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as the sleeve, is a restrictive type of bariatric surgery. In this procedure, there will be a sleeve that is created from the stomach that is about the size of a banana. This will limit the amount of food that is able to be in the stomach so that your stomach will not be able to hold as much food. This will help you feel full for longer. As with the other types of bariatric surgery, you will need to do your part in watching diet and exercise throughout the process.

Orbera Balloon

The Orbera Balloon is a balloon that will be placed into your stomach for a time period that is 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. This type of bariatric procedure is intended only for those who suffer from obesity. 

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 qualify for bariatric surgery and are wanting to change your life, contact us today! We want to help you get started on your weight loss journey.