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Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is another term for weight loss surgery. It can be an option for overweight or obese teens and adults with a BMI of 30 or higher. Find your BMI with our BMI calculator.

Intended to facilitate weight loss by altering normal digestive function, bariatric surgery is performed on morbidly obese patients who often have weight-related illnesses.

There are several types of bariatric surgery procedures:

• those that restrict food intake (restrictive), such as gastric band (also known as lap-band) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve)
• those that affect absorption of nutrients (malabsorption), which are rare, as they produce less-than-satisfactory outcomes
• those that do both (combination), such as gastric bypass

Catholic Health offers the following options for bariatric surgery in Buffalo, NY: gastric band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass.

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

Over time, bariatric surgery patients can expect to lose significant amounts of excess body weight – as much as 65% or more.

Although the degree of weight loss – and the timeframe it can be accomplished within – varies slightly with each procedure type, it can be sustained with permanent changes to diet and lifestyle habits.

Just like regular exercise and healthy behaviors, bariatric surgery is simply a tool. However, by applying all of these elements to daily life, patients can achieve and maintain weight loss, improve overall health and increase their quality of life.

Bariatric surgery patients often experience an improvement in obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea and high cholesterol – in some cases eliminating the need for medications altogether.

Patients also can experience higher self-esteem and renewed self-confidence after weight loss surgery. Many give up bad habits and are able to adopt healthier lifestyles with better food choices and regular participation in exercise and recreational activities.

They find that they have more energy to participate in family and social activities, make advancements at work, and are able to better deal with the stresses in their lives.

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Spotlight on Health

Weight Management & Bariatric Surgery – 96.1 JOY-FM, January 29, 2012

Download this thirty-minute radio program to hear from featured guest Dr. Joseph Caruana, Chief of Bariatric Surgery at Sisters of Charity Hospital.

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The Right Choice for a Healthier Life

If you haven't been able to achieve dramatic, sustainable weight loss on your own, you are not alone. Catholic Health has helped more than 4,400 patients lose weight by performing the most advanced procedures, including more than 3,500 gastric bypass surgeries.

Weight loss surgery is offered at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo and Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus in Cheektowaga.

“We provide a full complement of services that support patients before, during and after surgery,” says Joseph Caruana, MD, Chief of Bariatric Surgery at Sisters Hospital, who founded the program in 2000.

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News

• Bariatric Surgery May Cure Diabetes – March 2012
• Sisters Hospital First in Western New York to Perform da Vinci Robotic Gastric Bypass Surgery – December 2011
• Sisters Hospital First in Western New York to Use Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Gastric Band Placement – March 2011
• The Big Decision to Get Smaller – Buffalo News, January 2011

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Award-winning Bariatric Care

Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo has been named a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This designation is awarded to surgeons and programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.

We are also a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery™ as a result of our positive outcomes.

In a study by HealthGrades®, Sisters Hospital ranked #3 in New York State and in the top 10% in the nation for bariatric surgery. Click here for more information about the HealthGrades designation.

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Wellness Articles

• 5 Ways to Eat Healthier
• How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off – featuring Dr. Joseph Caruana, Chief of Bariatric Surgery at Sisters of Charity Hospital

Ask Us Anything

• Can I become pregnant after bariatric surgery? Dr. Joseph Caruana and Dr. Bruce Rodgers respond.
• What vitamins should I take after bariatric sugery? Dr. Joseph Caruana and Registered Dietitian Jennifer Turesky respond.
• Do you perform lap band surgery on patients who have had gastric bypass? Dr. Dang Tuan Pham responds.

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Hospitals

Weight loss surgery is performed at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo and at its St. Joseph Campus in Cheektowaga.

Sisters of Charity Hospital

The Bariatric Wing at Sisters Hospital, located on 3 West, is designed specifically to accommodate our patients seeking weight loss surgery.

We have 10 designated private rooms for bariatric patients. The rooms are equipped with flat screen TVs, larger chairs, recliners, and beds, as well as private bathrooms to make sure our patients are as comfortable as possible during their stay with us. 

Bariatric Wing Photo Album

St. Joseph Campus

After surgery at Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus, patients stay overnight in Hall 4. Patient rooms in Hall 4 have been renovated to accommodate bariatric patients. 

OHIP Preferred Provider

Our bariatric program has been named as a preferred provider by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in Canada. Our services will be covered by OHIP for Ontario patients undergoing bariatric surgery at Sisters Hospital.