Living with obesity can feel like an uphill battle. Even when you've tried every diet and exercise plan available, the scale sometimes refuses to budge. If that sounds familiar, bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery, may be the solution you've been looking for. These proven surgical procedures work by changing the structure of your digestive system to help you eat less, absorb fewer calories, and finally achieve lasting weight loss.
At Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center, we have been helping patients transform their lives through expert bariatric care since 2013. Our board-certified bariatric surgeons are MBSA and AAAHC-accredited, and our facility maintains a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio to ensure every patient receives the individualized attention they deserve. We also accept most major insurance plans, and we offer self-pay options at competitive rates.
Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or you're ready to move forward, our team is here to guide you at every step. Find out if you're a candidate and request a consultation today.
Not everyone who wants to lose weight is automatically a candidate for bariatric surgery, and that's okay. These procedures are specifically designed for patients who meet certain clinical criteria and who have not been able to achieve meaningful, lasting weight loss through diet and exercise alone. Generally speaking, you may be a candidate if you meet one or more of the following:
Candidacy also depends on your overall health, your commitment to making long-term lifestyle changes, and a thorough evaluation by our bariatric surgery team. Use our BMI calculator to get started, then find out if you're a candidate and take the next step toward scheduling a consultation.
Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as the gastric sleeve or VSG, is one of the most popular and effective bariatric surgery procedures available today. During the operation, the surgeon removes roughly 80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow, sleeve-shaped pouch. This smaller stomach holds less food, helps you feel full sooner, and reduces levels of ghrelin, the hormone that drives hunger.
Benefits of sleeve gastrectomy include:
Because the procedure is performed laparoscopically, most patients experience a shorter recovery and return to normal activities within two to four weeks. Our bariatric surgery team will walk you through what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most well-established and extensively studied bariatric surgery procedures in the world. It works through two mechanisms: restriction and malabsorption. The surgeon creates a small stomach pouch roughly the size of an egg, then connects it directly to the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. This means you eat less and your body absorbs fewer calories from what you do eat.
Patients who undergo gastric bypass can expect:
While gastric bypass is a more complex procedure than sleeve gastrectomy, our experienced bariatric surgery doctors in Atlanta have performed it successfully for hundreds of patients. Our comprehensive pre- and post-operative support program ensures you are fully prepared and supported throughout your recovery.
Lap-Band® surgery, or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, involves placing a soft, adjustable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch. Unlike sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, no part of the stomach is removed or permanently altered. The band can be adjusted over time by adding or removing saline through a small port placed under the skin, allowing your surgeon to customize the restriction to your needs.
Our practice also offers band plication, a technique that combines the Lap-Band® with stomach folding to further reduce the stomach's capacity without stapling. Key advantages of Lap-Band® and band plication include:
This approach may be a good fit for patients who prefer a less invasive option or who do not qualify for other bariatric procedures. Our team will help you understand whether Lap-Band® is the right choice for your individual health profile and goals.
The intra-gastric balloon is a non-surgical, temporary weight loss option for patients who do not yet qualify for bariatric surgery or who prefer to start with a less invasive approach. A soft silicone balloon is placed in the stomach through a brief endoscopic procedure and inflated with saline to take up space, helping you feel full faster and eat smaller portions.
It is important to understand that the intra-gastric balloon is a short-term tool, typically remaining in place for six months, and is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes including dietary modifications and increased physical activity. Potential benefits include:
Because this procedure is not appropriate for every patient, our bariatric doctors will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether the intra-gastric balloon is the right fit for your specific situation and goals.