At the nationally recognized Berkshire Center for Weight Loss Surgery, we offer a full range of weight loss surgery options, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, long considered the gold standard in weight loss surgery. Our board-certified surgeon, Andrew Lederman, MD, FACS, FASMBS, performs the procedure laparoscopically, which may offer less pain and scarring, fewer complications, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass uses a combination of gastric restriction, malabsorption and behavioral changes to help patients lose weight. Using laparoscopic techniques, the stomach is divided to create a small gastric pouch. The small intestine is connected to the pouch in a Y configuration, diverting digestive enzymes downstream and resulting in mild malabsorption. In essence, you’ll feel full quickly, eat less and absorb fewer calories.
For more than 30 years, gastric bypass surgery has been a reliable solution for major weight loss, and has been carefully refined over the past two decades. Like gastric sleeve surgery, the procedure offers more immediate results compared to Lap-Band (adjustable gastric band) surgery, though is more invasive. Patients at Berkshire generally lose 60 to 80 percent of their extra weight in the first year following gastric bypass, and will continue losing weight over the second year. Studies that track patients over 15 years report that a vast majority maintain a healthy weight. They also see dramatic improvements in diabetes, hypertension, infertility and other serious weight-related conditions.
As with all weight loss procedures, success is dependent on making and maintaining important lifestyle changes, as well as regular follow up appointments with Dr. Lederman.
Risks of gastric bypass surgery include poor absorption of iron resulting in iron deficiency anemia; poor absorption of calcium causing metabolic bone disease, chronic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency; and dumping syndrome, which can occur as a result of rapid emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine, or by consuming too much sugar or carbohydrates. Dr. Lederman will discuss all of these risks in detail with you before deciding to proceed with surgery.
Berkshire Medical Center is proud to offer our life-changing bariatric surgery program to the Pittsfield, Albany and surrounding communities we love to serve.
If you think you may be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery, join us for a free seminar, hosted by Dr. Lederman and Jodi Szczepaniak, Bariatric Nurse Practitioner. They will walk through weight management and surgical solutions, and see if a bariatric procedure may be right for you.
Call (413) 395-751 or RSVP here for an upcoming bariatric surgery seminar.
© 2019 Berkshire Health Systems
725 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
