Weight Loss Drugs vs. Bariatric Surgery – Which is Right For You?
If you’re trying to lose weight and finding it difficult, you may have considered taking medications or undergoing bariatric surgery. Both of these... read more
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E-Waiting RoomObesity is a serious chronic medical condition that is both progressive and lifelong. As we get older, the weight tends to increase and it becomes increasingly difficult to successfully keep the pounds off. Obesity does take a toll on your body- leading to disorders like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, arthritis and long-term back pain.
If you have already tried countless diet and exercise programs with little to no success, there is hope. You may be an ideal candidate for a safe, minimally invasive procedure called gastric sleeve surgery. The specialists at Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics of NJ are renowned for their high rate of success and expertise with the procedure. Call our surgeons to find out how to improve your overall health, state of well-being and self-esteem.
Gastric sleeve surgery is a bariatric procedure that not only restricts the amount of food your stomach can hold, but also controls the appetite and, most importantly, resets your metabolism. During the minimally invasive surgery, a small, banana-shaped stomach is created. Also known as sleeve gastrectomy or vertical gastric sleeve surgery, it’s the most commonly performed minimally invasive bariatric procedure in America and, in fact, the world. The gastric sleeve is an effective tool that promotes life changing improvements in your quality of life, energy levels, and, most importantly, weight related medical conditions. We have supported thousands of people to lead happier and healthier lives with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Our Bariatric Center of Excellence is available to you online or at one of the many offices of Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics. We are the leading provider of both surgical and non-surgical weight loss options in the Tri-State area.
Before the surgery, thorough testing by the different medical specialists on your team is completed to ensure your safety. The procedure itself is performed in a hospital with staff, equipment and guidelines in place to ensure excellence in care for the bariatric patient.
The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy takes less than one hour to perform. And the hospital stay is usually one night. The steps include:
The sleeve gastrectomy may be able to support lasting weight loss if you have been struggling with obesity and haven’t been able to maintain long-term success using other approaches.
The health conditions that very often improve after your surgery include:
The improvement in energy levels, quality of life, and aches or pains will likely motivate you to be more active and become more fully engaged in living your life. Advanced Surgery and Bariatrics offers comprehensive follow-up care that includes nutritional counseling, pre- and post- surgery information sessions, bariatric exercise programs, group meetings, and ongoing social support.
To determine if you’re a good candidate for the gastric sleeve or any other type of bariatric procedure, your doctor first calculates your body mass index (BMI), which takes your height and weight into account. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a powerful treatment option for patients with a BMI (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
I have been thinking of having the sleeve surgery for months. I met Dr. Sadek for the first time, and I felt very comfortable; he answered all my questions and gave me great insight; I know I'm making the right decision. Dr. Sadek and the staff are amazing. I’d strongly recommend Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics.
Any type of surgery, including laparoscopic bariatric procedures, although very unlikely, does carry some risk, such as from an infection and bleeding. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is considered safe and effective in the long-term treatment of obesity and weight related medical problems. Complications during and after vertical gastric sleeve surgery are exceedingly uncommon.
There’s a rare possibility of experiencing:
Gastric sleeve patients should supplement their diet with a daily multivitamin. We routinely perform blood work on an ongoing basis after surgery to safeguard against the development of nutritional deficiencies to provide for a healthy weight loss.
Your chance of having any issue after the sleeve gastrectomy is little to none with the Bariatric Center of Excellence specialists at Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics. We pride ourselves on our exceptionally low rate of complications. Contact one of our offices located throughout New Jersey today to schedule an appointment.
Recovery time is enhanced with an average hospital stay of less than 23 hours. Most patients don’t require pain medications at home. And staying active is encouraged.
If no heavy lifting is involved, people return to work in about 1-2 weeks. This gives you the time to learn new eating and drinking habits and to get used to your smaller stomach. Unrestricted physical activity, which includes heavy exercise, typically resumes in 1 month.
Gastric sleeve patients tend to lose an average of 60- 70 percent of their excess body weight. In most cases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea are improved or even outright cured.
When looking for a safe and durable treatment option for obesity, choose the right specialists. We use an advanced minimally invasive approach that results in less pain, little to no scarring, and significantly shorter recovery times.
Our team of medical and surgical specialists, which consist of surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, mental health professionals and nutritionists, is ready to support you in getting started on the path to long-term health and well-being.
Contact one of our offices to learn more about the obesity treatments we offer and discover for yourself why so many patients consider us to be the premier bariatric practice in the Tri-State area.
Choosing bariatric surgery is a very personal decision. In doing so, you are making a life changing and even life saving choice. Consideration involves not only surgery, but also adopting new lifestyle habits.
Why choose Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics?
The specialists at Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics are board certified and fellowship trained bariatric surgeons. This means your surgeon has the extensive specialty training, skills and experience to provide superior care.
At Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics, our surgeons have extensive surgical expertise and technical proficiency. We perform thousands of minimally invasive bariatric surgery procedures every year and our complication rates are among the lowest in the Northeast.
You want a surgeon who listens to your concerns, answers your questions, provides the information you need to make decisions, and respects your preferences.
When you choose Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics of NJ, you will receive collaborative comprehensive treatment including medical management, psychosocial support, exercise/ fitness guidance, and nutrition counseling. You will work with a team of professionals to develop a personalized care plan that includes education and evaluation before surgery, as well as lifetime follow-up care to support you keep the weight off and stay healthy.
Our surgical center has been designated as a Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Excellence from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
The center at Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics is one of the seven programs in the country to have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Bariatric Surgery Program by demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care.
Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics of NJ has earned distinction as a Center of Excellence in Pediatric and Adolescent Bariatric surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation- a nonprofit, patient safety organization that develops and administers best-in-class accreditation programs throughout the world.
The insurance specialists and patient navigators at the offices of Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics allow for streamlined support in collaborating with your insurance plan.
Dr. Sadek was chosen as a Top Doctor in Jersey Choice 2014-2020 based on the opinion of his physician peers across a range of disciplines.
At Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics of NJ you can feel confident you are receiving the best care available. Our team of elite surgeons is knowledgeable, attentive and thorough, kind, compassionate, and professional. You will get your questions answered and receive personalized care and respect in a private, comforting, and compassionate environment.
Healthgrades.com consumer reviews give Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics of NJ 5 stars with about 400 reviews. Patients report confidence in every step of the process. Patients say that Dr. Sadek and his team of skilled surgeons are knowledgeable, attentive, thorough, kind, compassionate, and professional throughout the entire process. Patients consistently remark that the care they have received from Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics has changed and, in some cases, saved their lives.
Many patients commented that their only regret was not doing the gastric sleeve sooner because they feel amazing!
Contact us to schedule a consultation and take your first step toward a new beginning.
A sleeve gastrectomy is a safe, low risk and highly successful option for major weight loss. The minimally invasive approach, which involves five small incisions, provides for a better cosmetic result, shorter recovery with less pain, less time in the hospital, and a dramatically reduced risk of complications.
Patients report losing 30-40 pounds of excess weight in the first three months after surgery. In our bariatric center, most patients lose up to 60-70% of their excess weight in the first 18 months after surgery.
Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics of NJ bariatric clinic is a pioneer in enhanced recovery protocols that allow patients to resume their lives more quickly after surgery. Enhanced recovery protocols are a paradigm shift that substantially improves outcomes.
ERAS is evidence-based care that requires a team of bariatric surgery doctors, anesthesiologists and an ERAS coordinator.
An enhanced recovery protocol:
The benefits of ERAS are reduced hospital stays and lower readmission rates. The goal is to discharge the patient as soon as they reach functional recovery. Multimodal postoperative pain management reduces the use of narcotics by almost 74%.
Optimizing the gastric sleeve postoperative period with ERAS is a major benefit to patients. Early recovery of gastrointestinal function significantly contributes to decreased discomfort and shorter hospital stays, without increasing risk or significant complications. The ERAS protocol also reduces the profound stress response after gastric sleeve surgery.
Studies report that the use of ERAS protocol has led to significantly more gastric sleeve patients being discharged from the hospital within 48 hours after surgery.
High quality post-operative care improves outcomes. ERAS protocols are safe and efficient for enhanced recovery after bariatric weight loss procedure.
Pain. In case it is needed, you will receive a prescription for pain medication. Most patients report that the pain in the first couple of days can be managed with over-the-counter medication.
Hydration & Food. It is important to stay hydrated by sipping throughout the day despite not being thirsty. For the first two weeks, you remain on a liquid diet. A gradual reintroduction of increasingly more complex textures, such as pureed followed by soft food, occurs postoperatively. Ultimately, small amounts of regular solid food are incorporated approximately four weeks after surgery. Your bariatric surgeon and nutritionist will recommend different types of stage appropriate food items as you advance your diet.
Being mindful of your pacing and portion sizes when you drink and eat will allow you to more comfortably understand how much fluid and food your stomach can hold.
Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar. If you have diabetes it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, as you do not want to become hypoglycemic. If you have hypertension, it is important to routinely check your blood pressure. Your primary care provider, cardiologist or endocrinologist will be involved in adjusting your medication regimen.
Fatigue. You may initially feel fatigued because your body is not yet used to the limited caloric intake. Also remember that you are recovering from surgery as well as general anesthesia.
Showering and caring for your incisions. Before leaving the hospital, you will receive instructions on how to care for your incisions. You may shower when you return home from the hospital.
The best advice is to follow your surgeon’s instructions, including following your diet plan, staying hydrated, resting, walking several times a day and listening to your body.
Take your time climbing stairs. You will be tired while adjusting to your restricted diet. One week after surgery, you will have your scheduled visit with your surgeon at Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics, at which point you will likely be given the approval for light exercise. Permission for heavy exercise is usually given at the one month postoperative visit. Combining a healthy diet with exercise will help you experience long-term success.
Most people who primarily work behind a desk, take one, maybe two weeks off from work. For more physically demanding jobs, it is recommended to take off about a month.
Most people considering bariatric surgery spend years evaluating their options. There is a lot to learn about all the different factors involved in this transformative procedure. It will affect you physically and mentally. It takes time to prepare.
Most major insurance companies will cover your surgery, but your surgery must be preapproved. Preapproval requires that you meet certain requirements including screening tests and medical necessity.
Our responsibility is to help you obtain authorization. And at Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics, we have dedicated staff to help. The insurance specialists and patient navigators at the offices of Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics allow for streamlined support in collaborating with your insurance plan.
Even when you receive approval, there will be some services that may not be covered. Out of pocket costs depend on your insurance benefits, and these costs generally will need to be paid before your surgery.
Out of pocket costs after surgery may include:
When you don’t have coverage, our experienced staff will work with you to secure a medical loan to finance essential medical care, with reasonable interest rates or provide other payment options.
Read more about: Gastric Sleeve Surgery Costs
The costs of being obese are well documented with regard to medical expenses, lower wages and absenteeism. The annual costs of being obese have been reported as approximately $4,789 more annually than for a woman of average weight. And, obese men pay an annual $2,646.00 premium.*
Studies report that obese adults spend 42% more on direct health and medical care costs than adults at a healthy weight. Over your lifetime, the higher costs of obesity are similar to those for smoking, or four times more over your life than bariatric surgery.
At Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics of New Jersey, we think the facts show that bariatric surgery pays for itself financially, and importantly it will vastly improve your quality of life. Here’s why:
The more you understand the association between the cost of obesity and the cost of weight loss surgery, the more confident you’ll be that surgery is the right decision for you.
You can actually reduce your healthcare costs long term by over 30%!
The cost of doing nothing is much greater than the financial and personal costs of obesity. Your physical and mental health will improve. Taking control of your life can give you the confidence to make the lifestyle changes necessary to keep the weight off.
Contact Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics of NJ to discover the life-changing benefits of bariatric surgery.
*Stop Obesity Alliance Fast Facts, School of Public Health & Health Services, The George Washington University. www.stopobesityalliance.org.
Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics, with offices throughout the state of New Jersey, is here for you. Our renowned bariatric surgeons understand that bariatric surgery is a big decision. We know that you have many questions and want you to have all the information needed to make an informed decision.
The average estimated cost of a gastric sleeve surgery or sleeve gastrectomy for a patient that does not have bariatric coverage is between $10,500 and $18,000 and includes:
Not all overweight people qualify for the gastric sleeve. There are some criteria that must be fulfilled before a patient is approved for surgery. Generally, gastric sleeve surgery is indicated for morbidly obese people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. People with a BMI between 35 and 39.9 can also qualify. Usually, this requires at least one additional medical condition related to obesity, which commonly include heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, joint/ back pain, arthritis, acid reflux and fatty liver disease.
For more information call our weight loss center to schedule a consultation with our bariatric surgeons. We perform hundreds of minimally invasive gastric sleeve surgeries every year and our complication rates are among the lowest in the Northeast.
As a guideline, laparoscopic gastric sleeve patients have about a 1 to 2 week period, (although some can take as long as 6 weeks, depending on job responsibilities) before they can return to work.
Bleeding, infection, and blood clots in your legs are rare complications that may occur after any surgery. Our complication rate of 0.5% is significantly lower than the nationwide average.
The gastric sleeve is not a malabsorptive procedure. Whatever is eaten, healthy or otherwise, will be absorbed in its entirety. As such, nutritional deficiencies are unlikely to arise after having a laparoscopic gastric sleeve. That being said, gastric sleeve patients should supplement their diet with a daily multivitamin. We routinely perform blood work on an ongoing basis after surgery to safeguard against the development of nutritional deficiencies to provide for a healthy weight loss.
Some people may have heartburn or reflux after surgery. If you already have moderate to severe reflux, a gastric sleeve could make that worse. You may want to consider a gastric bypass surgery instead, which more effectively cures reflux and weight related medical problems.
You may have individual risks based on your health. Input from various medical specialists may be needed to keep you safe before, during and after surgery. Make sure to talk with your healthcare team about any concerns before the surgery.
During and immediately after surgery, there is little to no pain as a result of anesthesia and pain medications. After a day, the pain may be more noticeable because the anesthesia has worn off. While the pain medications are working, you are also generally more active than before. For example, when you turn your trunk or bend at the waist, mild pain may be evident. Fortunately, the pain should be bearable and become better as time passes. Although strong medications are available, pain is usually managed with simple over-the-counter medicine.
While an improved state of health is most important to people, losing weight is one of the goals of bariatric surgery. The amount of weight loss will depend on the person and the procedure, but it tends to be most rapid in the first few months. During the first 30 days after gastric sleeve surgery, the average weight loss is 5 to 10 pounds per week. Men tend to lose weight at a faster pace than women. By two months, most people average a 20% loss of excess weight.
After four weeks you should be able to resume a regular solid food diet. Your gastric sleeve will allow you to eat almost any type or texture of food. You should aim for three well balanced meals each day with healthy snacks in between.
With a gastric sleeve procedure, part of the stomach is removed from the body through one of the small incisions. This extracted portion of the stomach is a major center of ghrelin production. Since ghrelin is a chemical that stimulates the appetite, a significantly reduced hunger drive results in patients who have had a sleeve gastrectomy.
Read more: Gastric Sleeve Surgery Q&A
In a few instances, managing hunger may be challenging after having a gastric sleeve. Some patients may still feel hungry even if they are full after eating. This arises because the brain may still be used to the patient’s past lifestyle and diet. As you continue to adopt mindful healthy eating habits, your appetite typically responds accordingly.
Dr. Ragui Sadek is a premier surgeon who established a state-of-the-art and one of the safest bariatric surgery programs in the state. Dr. Sadek has fellowship training in both laparoscopic/bariatric surgery and surgical trauma/critical care, allowing him to safely perform complex surgeries on patients who have been turned down by other practices. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of surgery at RWJ Medical School & the Director of bariatric surgery program at RWJ University Hospital, Dr. Sadek offers a cutting-edge range of laparoscopic, robotic, & bariatric surgical procedures with a complication rate substantially below the national average.
Dr. Sadek is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Having performed more than three thousand advanced surgical procedures, Dr. Sadek has established a strong patient satisfaction rate and a solid reputation among the surgical community and is renowned as a top physician in his field by International Association of Healthcare Professionals. As a board-certified surgeon, he holds affiliations with the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastro Endoscopic Surgeons. More about Dr. Sadek
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If you’re trying to lose weight and finding it difficult, you may have considered taking medications or undergoing bariatric surgery. Both of these... read more
Are you frustrated with your inability to lose weight? Tired of being trapped in an endless cycle of yo-yo dieting, over-exercising, cleanses, and... read more