Bariatric Surgery

MultiCare > Services and Departments > Weight Loss > Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss expertise with compassionate care

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, can help qualifying patients live healthier lives. In addition to supporting weight loss, bariatric surgery often helps to resolve weight-related conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Our experienced team of bariatric specialists are more than just experts in their field. They are dedicated to providing patients with the care, resources and support they need along every step of their weight-loss journey — before, during and after surgery. Find out if weight loss surgery is right for you.

Our program is nationally accredited through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), meeting the rigorous standards set forth by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

At MultiCare, you’ll have access to:

Board-certified surgeons with years of experience performing weight-loss surgery
A certified bariatric nurse who guides you through the weight-loss surgery process
A psychologist who specializes in helping people lose weight
Registered dietitians who support you in making positive, lasting lifestyle changes
Physician assistants and other support staff dedicated to helping you achieve your goals
Assistance navigating insurance plan coverage and requirements
Regular visits with your care team before and after surgery
Free support groups that offer opportunities to connect with others who are having or have had weight-loss surgery

Procedures we offer

Bariatric surgery can help you lose weight by reducing your stomach size, bypassing part of your digestive system so you absorb fewer calories, or using a combination of both methods. At MultiCare, we provide several of the safest and most effective surgical weight-loss procedures available. This range of options allows us to address your individual medical needs while ensuring the best results possible.

Available procedures may vary by location. Contact the clinic nearest you to learn more about your options.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

In Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, surgeons use a stapling device to create a small stomach pouch. Next, they attach a section of your small intestine directly to the pouch. This way, food will bypass part of your small intestine and you’ll absorb fewer calories. Plus, with the smaller stomach pouch, you’ll only be able to eat a small amount of food before feeling full. You’ll also begin using your body’s stored fat for energy.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy

A vertical sleeve gastrectomy is similar to gastric bypass surgery in some ways — surgeons use a stapling device in both procedures to reduce the size of the stomach. After a sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach that remains is the size and shape of a thin vertical sleeve, like a banana. This limits the amount of food you can eat and helps you to feel full sooner and longer. As a result, your body will start using its fat supply for energy.

Unlike a gastric bypass, however, sleeve gastrectomy does not bypass any of your small intestine. You will still absorb the same amount of calories and nutrients from the food you eat.

Duodenal switch and SIPS-duodenal switch

These procedures greatly reduce the amount of small intestine your food travels through during digestion.

Your small intestine has two parts, an upper part called the duodenum and a lower part called the ilium. In a duodenal switch procedure, as in sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon removes most of your stomach. Next, they divide your ilium, leaving enough intestine so digestion can occur. Then your surgeon divides your duodenum and attaches the duodenum to the ilium, creating a much shorter passageway for food.

Stomach intestinal pylorus sparing (SIPS)-duodenal switch is a variation of traditional duodenal switch surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon only separates your small intestine at one point, not two.

In both procedures, you lose weight because you eat less food and you absorb fewer calories from the foods you do eat.

Adjustable gastric band

Gastric banding is one of the least invasive approaches to obesity because neither the stomach nor the intestine is cut. A surgeon places a band around the upper part of the stomach using a laparoscopic approach (a minimally invasive surgical technique). The band divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. This small pouch limits the quantity of food you can eat at any one time and will result in a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food.

Gastric band removal

Gastric bands are removed for several reasons. Some people experience complications such as band erosion, infection, intolerance or slippage, while others don’t lose enough weight. Removal of the band is a relatively straightforward laparoscopic procedure. Patients can opt to pursue another bariatric procedure to maintain and improve long-term weight loss.

Revisional bariatric surgery

Sometimes people find their first weight-loss surgery isn’t as effective as they want, or they experience continuing health concerns following the procedure. In these cases, they may select a second bariatric surgery, known as revision surgery. Types of revision surgery include:

Removal of adjustable gastric band (with or without conversion to an alternate weight-loss surgery)
Revision of vertical banded gastroplasty, a procedure also known as stomach stapling
Revision of sleeve gastrectomy
Revision of gastric bypass

If you think you may need revision surgery, you’ll have an initial conversation with your surgeon. Then you’ll complete a series of tests and imaging exams so your surgeon can understand exactly what’s going on with your body. After your surgeon has reviewed your tests, they will work with you to decide whether you need a revision procedure, and if so, which one is best for you.