Bariatric surgery for weight loss
Bariatric surgery can dramatically improve a variety of serious obesity-related health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, joint pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infertility and sleep apnea.
Find a bariatric surgeon near you
Choose the San Diego bariatric specialist who's right for you.
We are committed to providing you with excellent bariatric care, including access to the latest technology through robotic-assisted weight loss surgery. Sharp’s bariatric surgery programs are nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This designation means that our programs meet the highest standards for patient safety and quality.
At Sharp, we understand that each patient is unique. Our highly skilled, board-certified surgeons tailor treatment and surgical plans to meet a patient’s individual needs, carefully considering both body-mass index (BMI) and other medical conditions to help determine the best path. And our team of compassionate nurses and dietitians are specially trained to care for our bariatric surgery patients.
Prioritize your health by avoiding unnecessary risks. Achieving substantial weight loss requires sustained dedication, and we are dedicated to supporting you throughout your weight loss journey. We provide informative webinars and support groups both before and after surgery to assist you every step of the way.
Bariatric surgery options
Bariatric surgery remains the most effective method for long-term weight loss, according to the National Institutes of Health. Surgery is typically advised for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above. If your BMI is lower than 35, weight loss surgery may still be an option for you, especially if you have type 2 diabetes or if other weight loss efforts in the past have been unsuccessful. You and your surgeon will discuss options to determine the best course of action for you, depending on your specific health needs.
Benefits of bariatric surgery extend beyond weight loss, and can include an improvement in blood sugar control, decreased hunger and better hormone function. Your surgeon will describe in more detail the benefits you may experience.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of your stomach by about 80%, creating a “sleeve” that holds less food, limiting the amount of food you can eat. This procedure also removes most of the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, known as the “hunger hormone,” making you feel less hungry. Food empties out of the stomach into the small intestine the same way it did before surgery. The small intestine is not operated on or changed.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass divides the stomach into two parts. A smaller “pouch” holds food and drink. The rest of the stomach is left in place but no longer receives or digests food or liquids. This surgery works by restricting the amount of food your stomach can hold and by changing how your body absorbs food.
Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a newer procedure. Your surgeon will first perform a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, reducing the size of your stomach by about 80% and creating a smaller “sleeve” to hold food and drink. The upper part of the intestines is then separated from the sleeve, and a different loop of intestines is re-connected to the sleeve. This procedure combines the benefits of a vertical sleeve gastrectomy and the benefits of bypassing parts of the intestine, which changes how your body absorbs food.
Frequently asked questions
Weight loss medications can be an effective tool to support weight management, but they’re likely not a helpful long-term solution for obesity. In most cases, patients who take these medications without any other intervention lose only around 5% to 10% of their body weight. Patients often regain the weight if they stop taking the medications. These medications can also be expensive without insurance coverage, costing as much as $15,000 each year.
According to the National Institute of Health, bariatric surgery remains the most trusted and effective method for long-term, significant weight loss. Medications can be used alongside bariatric surgery to reduce weight in preparation for surgery and to help maintain results after surgery. Your bariatric surgeon will work with you to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
If you need help finding a physician, please call 1-800-827-4277 from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.
For more information about Sharp Coronado Hospital’s bariatric program send us an email.
For information about Sharp Memorial’s bariatric program, call 858-939-3010 or send us an email.
If you’re a Sharp Rees-Stealy patient, talk with your primary care team as a first step to determine if you’re a good candidate for bariatric surgery. For questions regarding costs and coverage for the surgery, please contact your health insurance plan directly.
Most insurance companies will cover the cost of surgery or part of the surgery. Your surgeon can help you understand your cash-pay options.
Sharp HealthCare accepts almost all health insurance plans, including Sharp Health Plan, those offered through employers, sold directly to individuals and offered by the health insurance marketplace.
If you plan to use your health insurance to fully or partially cover the cost of bariatric surgery, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider to make sure the surgeon of your choice is covered by your specific plan.
Our physician-referral specialists can help you find a doctor based on your insurance plan. Call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, or search for a doctor.
In addition to accepting most insurance plans, we also offer convenient, affordable cash pay options to give you more control throughout your bariatric care experience. Self-paying patients may not have to meet the standard approval process and medically supervised diet programs that are often required by insurance companies prior to surgery. Your physician will be able to help you understand the self-pay options available to you.
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy can take 45 minutes to an hour to perform. The roux-en-Y laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery can take 2 to 2 1/2 hours to perform. The Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) takes about an hour to perform.
The majority of our patients are hospitalized for one night only.
We encourage patients to exercise before and after surgery. During our pre-operative patient education class, which is scheduled two to three weeks before your surgery, we discuss weight limits for the first week or two after your surgery. By three weeks, individuals are able to resume all normal activities.
Women are often referred to our bariatric surgeons because of infertility issues. Bariatric surgery can improve the fertility of both men and women. We recommend women wait 1 to 2 years after bariatric surgery to get pregnant.
You will be on a progressive diet starting with clear or see-through liquids then to full or cloudy-type liquids. At two weeks, you will be allowed soft foods, then will advance to a regular diet at four weeks. You will be guided through the process by your dietitian, surgeon and nursing specialist.
Resources to help you every step of the way
We offer:
Free bariatric surgery informational seminars, including a live webinar and an on-demand webinar
Extensive support services to help you maintain your weight loss
Support groups led by a clinical dietitian
Individualized diet plans
Personalized and thorough weight loss assessments
Expert caregivers, including board-certified bariatric surgeons dedicated to helping you achieve your desired results
Specialized care before, during and after your surgery to support your long-term success
You may also attend our free support groups before your surgery so you know what to expect with the lifestyle changes after bariatric surgery. At the support groups, you will have the opportunity to speak with our bariatric surgery experts and talk with patients who had bariatric surgery.
Learn more at an upcoming seminar
We host free virtual seminars offered by Sharp Coronado Hospital or Sharp Memorial Hospital where certified bariatric specialists will help you understand the different procedures available at Sharp and answer any questions you have.
Experience our classes and support groups
Bariatric surgery seminars and support groups
Seminars and support groups for patients who are considering or who have had bariatric or weight loss surgery.
Bariatric surgery informational video
Register for an on-demand video to learn about health issues associated with obesity and what to know when considering bariatric surgery.
Locations of bariatrics services in San Diego
We offer weight loss and bariatric services in San Diego at the following Sharp locations.
