Many factors make the bariatric surgery program at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans an excellent destination for care, including:

• A diverse team of weight loss experts. During your weight loss journey, you may work with fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons, bariatricians, certified physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, psychologists, bariatric nurse coordinators and more.
• Ease of collaboration with specialists. In many cases, bariatric surgery patients need care from cardiologists, gastroenterologists or other specialists in the months leading up to surgery to treat health problems and optimize safety and surgical outcomes. Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans is home to a comprehensive range of medical specialists, making it easy for patients to find the care they need.
• Recognitions for high-quality care. Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans is accredited as a Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. We were the first institution in the country to receive accreditation from this program. We’ve also earned designations from Cigna Care, Aetna Institutes of Quality and Contingo Health Center of Excellence Program, and we’ve been designated a Blue Distinction Center+ for bariatric surgery by the BlueCross BlueShield Association.
• Research to move our field forward. We’re studying surgical techniques and the effects of bariatric surgery on diseases, such as cancer, to improve treatment for future generations of patients.
• Technology to improve care. We use a variety of technologies to enhance the patient care experience, from the da Vinci Surgical System for robotic surgery to Baritastic, an app that educates patients about bariatric surgery and helps them track nutrition, exercise and weight loss.

Located at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans at 1514 Jefferson Highway, the bariatric surgery program serves patients from the New Orleans area and beyond. Virtual visits are available when appropriate.

Bariatric surgery may be right for you if you have:

• A body mass index of 40 or higher

• A BMI of 35 or higher and an obesity-related health problem, such as Type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea

• A BMI of 30 or higher with Type 2 diabetes that you haven’t been able to manage with other treatments

• Criteria outlined by your specific insurance policy

Before you start the bariatric surgery process, check with your health insurance plan and/or your insurance carrier’s office to find out if your policy covers bariatric services. Likewise, we will check and review your insurance-based eligibility criteria and requirements. If you are using insurance, you’ll consult with an Ochsner financial coordinator to discuss your insurance benefit coverage and your financial obligation. If you are not using insurance we will discuss cash options.

Bariatric surgery can help improve a variety of medical conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease

• High blood pressure

• Joint pain

• Sleep apnea

• Type 2 diabetes

• Urinary incontinence

The bariatric surgery program offers primary, conversion and revision weight loss surgeries. We use a minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic approach for many procedures. Available types of bariatric surgery include:

• Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. During gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon creates a small pouch from the stomach and connects it to part of the small intestine. Gastric bypass aids weight loss by restricting the amount of food that your stomach holds and changing the way food is absorbed and digested.

• Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. During a sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon removes 70% to 80% of the stomach. This reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold and changes the secretion of gut hormones to control hunger.

• Conversion or revision bariatric surgery. For complications after or related to a previous adjustable gastric band surgery, the surgeon can remove the band and perform a different weight loss procedure. For complications or weight regain following a sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon can convert the procedure to a gastric bypass. For complications or enlarged gastric pouch following a gastric bypass, the surgeon can revise the original gastric bypass.

• ORBERA endoscopic balloon. During this procedure, the provider passes a scope through the mouth and esophagus to the stomach, then places and inflates a gastric balloon. In place for six months, the balloon, filled with saline, restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold, helping patients feel full faster.

In addition to the above bariatric surgeries and nonsurgical procedure, our program offers medical weight loss. Our bariatricians, who are board-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, use the latest medications to help patients lose weight together with and without surgery.

Bariatric surgery is more than a procedure. It’s also the spark for a wholesale lifestyle change that’s necessary to add to and sustain the weight loss that occurs as a result of surgery. Adjusting to life after a weight loss procedure takes dedication and commitment to behavioral and lifestyle modification. The Ochsner bariatric surgery program and team supports patients from their onset into our program and for the rest of their lives after their procedure to help them achieve lasting success.

In addition to routine follow-up appointments, we help patients after weight loss surgery by hosting a virtual support group. This gathering, which meets from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month, is a great resource to gain knowledge and tools for weight loss, and they provide an opportunity to make friends and swap tips with people who are on their own weight loss journeys.

You can join the support group via Zoom. Use meeting ID 936 8405 0919 and passcode 798943. To join by phone, call 646-558-8656.

The right type of surgery differs from patient to patient. Each of the procedures we offer can help patients lose weight and improve their health. Your bariatric surgeon will help determine the most appropriate procedure based on your health and goals.

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, patients can lose an average of between 50% and 80% of excess weight one year after surgery. Results vary by patient and procedure.

You’ll need to commit to healthy lifestyle changes to maintain long-term weight loss. It’s critical to follow a vitamin regimen, a healthy diet and exercise plan and have consistent follow-up appointments and lab work. At Ochsner, it is our mission to partner with each patient to assist and support you throughout your weight loss journey.

To get started, call 504-703-6022 or 504-8-4BESTU (504-842-3788) to schedule a financial appointment.