Bariatric Surgery for Obesity

How do I know if bariatric surgery is right for me?

The decision to have bariatric surgery is an important and often difficult one. The bariatric surgeons at the University of Chicago Medicine have been leaders in the field of bariatrics for more than 15 years and are ready to support and guide you through the decision-making process.

Bariatric surgerons: Yalini Vigneswaran, MD, MS, Vivek N. Prachand, MD, Mustafa Hussain, MD — Our surgeons specialize in complex cases, and they have the experience required to treat patients who need additional care due to existing medical conditions.

We can help educate you on the types of bariatric surgery and determine what is best for you.

Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery

Our bariatric surgical teams are among the best, most experienced and innovative in the world when it comes to minimally invasive obesity surgery. They have performed more of these procedures than any other bariatric surgeons in the Midwest. In fact, our board-certified bariatric surgeons were the first in the Chicago area to perform laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and the first in the Midwest to perform laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery, which offers hope for the most severely obese patients. 

National Leaders in Excellence

We are recognized as national leaders for the multidisciplinary and individualized approach we provide in caring for our patients. We understand obesity is a complex, chronic condition and tailor surgical treatment to each individual, ensuring each patient gets the best outcome possible.

Treating Patients with Chronic Medical Conditions

Patients with chronic conditions related or unrelated to obesity have access to hundreds of respected specialists in:

In fact, we regularly treat patients who require special surgical expertise due to their existing medical conditions, and we specialize in complex cases.

Our scientific and technical expertise is recognized by practicing bariatric surgeons from around the country who come to learn and observe from us. UChicago Medicine has an active role in the national efforts of obesity surgery education. Other centers from around the country send their complex patients to be treated by our bariatrics program.

Recognized as Leaders in the Field of Bariatrics

Our center has been awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction for Bariatric Surgery and has been named an Institute of Quality for Bariatric Surgery by Aetna, as well as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by Cigna. Additionally, we are accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

Accredited Center for Bariatric Surgery Badge - American College of Surgeons

Bariatric Surgery and Telemedicine

We offer convenient telemedicine options for bariatric surgery patients, allowing you to easily schedule phone or video calls with us from the comfort and safety of your home. Our virtual visits are simple and can occur through any web accessible mobile device, tablet, laptop or home computer. You can now access our world-class care from anywhere.

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-773-702-1618 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

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Controlling Diabetes and Weight

Gastric bypass surgery helps woman achieve health goals after decades of struggle.

Video Transcript

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And that has drastically changed my life. I mean, not to have to take insulin shots. I feel significantly better.

Lynn Yanow was taking four insulin shots a day. It was the only way she could control her diabetes.

I feel better emotionally, physically, and I'm just I'm very, very pleased.

Now Lynn is much lighter and off most of her medications including those four insulin shots.

As of today, I've lost 80 pounds in six months, and I'm very excited about that. I would maybe like to lose another 10, but everyone tells me that I should leave it be.

Lynn chose the bariatric program at the University of Chicago Medicine, one of the leading programs in the country. She had the gastric bypass procedure and is very happy with the results. T

he reason that I chose University of Chicago Medicine is because they had a program -- Dr. Hussain had a program to go along with the bypass. You had to go to classes. You had to follow up. I mean, there was the whole plan.

What differentiates us from everybody else is, I think, our experience, our judgment, and our comprehensive evaluation of patients.

UChicago Medicine offers many options for weight loss. Some of those options include surgery, there's sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and a procedure for extremely heavy patients that is only done at about 1% of the centers in the country that's called the duodenal switch.

As an institution, we are providing a wide array of options for patients who are trying to lose weight, whether it's that 10 pounds you need to lose after Christmas or it's that 200 pounds that you know you've accumulated over years.

Each of these procedures requires a team approach. The patient will work with several caregivers to assess their challenges and provide solutions. There is also follow up after the procedure to make sure the patient has the right support to keep the weight off.

So at a single hospital visit, they will see the surgical team. They will see our bariatric dietitians, as well as our psychologists. And so it's a one-stop-shop, if you will.
Weight loss isn't easy. And the patients who participate in the surgical program have struggled with their situations for years prior. But the positive news is there is hope. And it can be a lasting change.

Despite all of our biases, we don't know why people are overweight. It's easy to say they eat more food than they actually burn off. And while that may be true, we don't understand why some patients are more efficient at burning off food than others.

Obesity is a complex issue. It has to do with your genes, what you're eating, what your habits are, what your social behavior is, what your psychological situation is. So it's a complex issue. So it doesn't have just one solution. Surgery happens to be the most effective way to help people lose weight. But we realize it doesn't function in a vacuum.

Lynn's family is happy with her outcome, as well. It has changed her life and helped her to a healthier existence.

Since I did the surgery, I feel much better about myself. I am much more confident. I do a lot more things. I do double-takes in the mirror every time I walk by a window -- every time. I absolutely do not believe that I look like this. And I feel very, very good about it.

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