Bariatric Surgery

Weight-Reduction Surgery Available at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic surgeons perform several kinds of weight-reduction procedures: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric banding, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch and sleeve gastrectomy. Mayo's multidisciplinary team helps select the most appropriate procedure for each patient.

Learn more about weight-reduction procedures at Mayo Clinic.

The most common procedure at Mayo is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Research has shown that it is the most effective procedure with the best long-term results. Two types of Roux procedures are done at Mayo. These surgeries not only limit how much a person can eat at a time, but also redirect the food to bypass most of the stomach and the first section of the small intestine. The body's ability to absorb nutrients and calories becomes greatly limited.

For most patients, Mayo Clinic surgeons can perform bariatric surgery using minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery). Guided by a tube containing a light source and camera, the surgeon operates through small incisions (port sites) in the abdomen. Performing the operation laparoscopically can help decrease the hospital stay and lead to a quicker recovery. Fewer wound-related problems seem to result from minimally invasive bariatric surgery than from traditional open bariatric surgery.

Special Capabilities

Unique to Mayo Clinic is its capability to do revisional surgery; that is, surgery to fix a problem in people who have already had a bariatric procedure. In addition, Mayo Clinic can perform gastric bypass on older people who may not qualify to have the procedure at other institutions because of their age. In both areas, Mayo Clinic has had excellent results.

Gallbladder Removal

Overweight people are more likely to have gallstones. About 30 percent of people who have bariatric surgery also have gallstones. Another 30 percent will develop gallstones after surgery. Therefore, the gallbladder is often removed during gastric bypass surgery.