Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Our Bariatric Surgery Program, within the Comprehensive Obesity and Metabolic Center, is a specialized multidisciplinary program for the evaluation of weight problems. Our dedicated team evaluate the causes of obesity and other weight issues and diagnose weight-related metabolic disorders.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery as it is sometimes known, is a surgical procedure which helps people with obesity to lose weight. It is often recommended when weight loss methods haven't been successful. It can also help to treat or prevent metabolic diseases that are related to obesity, such as diabetes.

Bariatric and weight loss surgeries alter your digestive system, and help you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat and/or by reducing the absorption of nutrients.

Bariatric surgery is a successful treatment for obesity offering long term results. It also allows healthy lifestyle changes to be more effective, for sustained weight loss and improved overall health.

Who Should Consider Bariatric Surgery?

In general, bariatric surgery and other loss-weight surgeries could be an option for you if:

• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity).
• Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.

In some cases, you may qualify for certain types of weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health problems. Surgeries can effectively help you reduce serious health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea.

Our Approach to Bariatric Surgery

Our team provides highly individualized care, delivered with respect and compassion.

Working with you, the team will recommend a procedure and plan that will make lifelong changes possible and move you towards improved health with the ability to live life as you choose.

What Type of Bariatric Surgeries Are Available?

Treatments provided within the Bariatric Surgery Clinic include:

• Intragastric balloon: An inflatable, implantable medical device which is placed in the stomach so that patients feel full faster.
• Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A surgery which removes a large portion of the stomach leaving behind only a small tubular part. This reduces the amount of food you can eat in one sitting.
• Laparoscopic gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass): The upper part of the stomach is separated from the lower part and food moves directly into your small intestine, bypassing the lower portion. Your stomach is unable to take as much food and appetite is reduced.
• Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI): This surgery bypasses most of your small intestine reducing the amount of hunger hormones that it can produce. It is most effective for improving metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

How Do I Prepare for Bariatric Surgery?

Ahead of surgery, your doctor will ensure you are as healthy as possible. Many tests will be performed to make sure you are well enough for surgery and you will be put on a special diet to reduce the size of the liver, which improves the safety of the operation.

Approximately one to two before surgery you will undergo a full evaluation by an anesthesiologist.

What to Expect During Bariatric Surgery?

On the day of surgery, you will meet with your surgeon and anesthesiologist. Surgery is usually laparoscopic, meaning minimally invasive methods are used. This allows for smaller incision, less pain and faster recovery.

Within a few hours of surgery, you will be encouraged to walk around, as this reduces the risk of complications. Patients are typically asked to stay in the hospital for one to two days after surgery. This may vary based on the patient’s overall health and the extent of the operation. During this time, the patient meets with nutritionists and receives verbal and written guidelines on how and what to eat over the following weeks and months.

After discharge, patients are required to return to the clinic for follow up. The patient is expected to attend appointments to review progress with his or her nutritionist, surgeon, and internist without fail.

How Successful is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is very successful both in terms of weight loss and improvement of obesity-related health problems (it is generally considered successful if 50% of excess weight is lost and kept off).

Download our free Bariatric Surgery Treatment Guide for more information.

Metabolic Health

Learn more about obesity, weight management and your metabolic health and the available treatment options through our informative health library resources below:

• Comprehensive Obesity and Metabolic Center
• Bariatric Surgery
• The 5 Pillars of Weight Management
• Are You a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
• How the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery go Beyond Losing Weight 
• Patient Receives Life-Changing Robotic Bariatric Revision Surgery 
• Understanding Obesity 

Don't let Obesity and Metabolic conditions stop you from living life to the fullest. Book an appointment with us today and take the first step towards a healthier future. Email us at [email protected]  and one of our caregivers will assist you.