Weight Loss Treatments
At RWJBarnabas Health, we focus on long-term benefits of weight loss, such as reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. It’s not about losing weight overnight. It’s about staying healthy over time.
Our weight loss specialists offer nutritional counseling, information about exercise and your health. They can talk with you about the kinds of exercise that might be right for you to do safely and effectively. In addition, we offer treatment options including medication for weight loss and bariatric surgery.
Nutrition Consultation
Our weight loss specialists can guide you to make dietary changes that can keep you healthy. Learn about what foods would serve you best, and how to control portion sizes, as well as your appetite.
Medication for Weight Loss
Weight loss medications have proven to be effective in helping people who have had difficulty losing weight in the past. Some medications regulate hormones that control appetite, so you will consume fewer calories. Others regulate blood sugar levels, making you feel full, and helping with overall weight management. Some medications you may have heard of are Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. Talk with your doctor about whether medical weight loss is right for you.
Bariatric Surgery
For those who need to lose fifty or more pounds, the healthy approach is to understand that you don’t have a weight problem, you have a medical problem — and one that requires supervision. Led by experienced bariatric surgeons, our weight loss programs provide a coordinated and supportive approach to the decision to pursue weight loss surgery.
Our patients experience the benefits of weight loss surgery almost immediately. We have helped thousands of patients in NJ achieve and sustain their weight loss goals.
A discussion with your surgeon of the different types of weight loss surgery options will help you determine which treatment is best for you. Some options include gastric bands surgery (also known as lap band surgery), gastric bypass surgery, and gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy).
Gastric Band Surgery
Gastric band surgery also referred to as the lap band procedure, is a bariatric procedure that is often performed using several small incisions (laparoscopically). Gastric band surgery is less complex than other bariatric surgery options and is also reversible.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery uses surgical staples to create a small stomach pouch which restricts the amount of food you can eat at one time. It is considered the ‘gold standard' of weight loss surgery resulting in reliable weight loss with minimal side effects. Roux-en-Y is a form of gastric bypass surgery in which the small intestine is redirected to bypass the larger portion of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine so that the body absorbs fewer calories and nutrients. The new structure forms the shape of the letter Y.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Also known as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of the stomach. This procedure can often be performed laparoscopically, using several small incisions, and is our procedure of choice for obese teens (ages 15-21).
Loop Duodenal Switch Surgery
Loop duodenal switch surgery is combination of two bariatric procedures: sleeve gastrectomy and a duodenal switch procedure. The combined procedure reroutes the pathway of food through the digestive system to reduce the absorption of calories by the body.
Attend a Free Seminar
The RWJBarnabas Health bariatric and weight loss programs feature extensive education and patient support before, during and after treatment. Attend one of our free seminars in your community and you’ll learn more about our various weight loss procedures and what may be the best weight loss procedure for you.
If you are interested in learning more about RWJBarnabas Health weight loss options, contact us at (888) 724-7123.
