Surgical Weight Loss Treatment Guide

Vanderbilt Health has developed this guide to answer common questions about surgical weight loss. We hope this guide provides you with helpful information about the types of surgical procedures we may offer, should you choose our care.

Please keep in mind that surgical procedures can differ. If you have specific questions about your options after reading this, please discuss them with your care team. Thank you for trusting us with your care.

Understanding Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease that increases your risk of serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, joint pain, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Obesity affects a person through excess weight and weight-related health conditions. It is diagnosed by a measurement called the body mass index (BMI), a ratio of your height and weight. A BMI of 30 or higher would categorize you as obese, so you may benefit from treatment.

For some people, nutrition and lifestyle improvements alone may not be enough to achieve a healthy weight. Surgery may be a better and safer option to lose significant weight.

The Surgical Weight Loss Program at Vanderbilt offers advanced care to help you lose weight and improve your overall health. Our team works with you to develop a personalized care plan combining surgery, nutrition, exercise and psychological support. We work together to help you attain a healthy, vibrant life.

Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

To be a candidate for surgery, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or if you have weight-related health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, a BMI of at least 35
  • Understand the surgery and have realistic expectations about weight loss following surgery
  • Demonstrate a willingness to make lifelong changes in lifestyle, dietary habits and exercise

Surgical Procedures We Offer

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery promotes weight loss in three ways:

  1. It makes the stomach much smaller, which helps you eat smaller meals and feel less hungry.
  2. It forces food to bypass the small intestine, where most food and nutrients are absorbed
  3. Hormone changes decrease hunger and increase how full you feel after a meal
    .
To lose weight successfully after surgery, you should avoid:
    • Any fluids for 30 minutes before and after your meals
    • Foods that flow easily through your pouch
    • High-calorie meals and liquids
    • Snacks
You should:
    • Eat high-protein meals
    • Increase your activity

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery removes part of the stomach. The smaller “sleeve” that remains leads to less hunger and increased feeling of fullness with smaller meals.

To lose weight successfully after surgery, you should avoid:
    • Foods that flow easily through your sleeve
    • Fluids for 30 minutes before and after your meals
    • High-calorie meals and liquids
    • Snacks
You should:
    • Eat high-protein meals
    • Increase your activity

Our Surgical Team

 See information about each care team member at VanderbiltWeightLoss.com

Pathway to Surgery

  1. Initial consultation

At your first visit, you'll watch a Surgical Weight Loss Program overview video. You'll also meet your surgeon and care team, where you'll discuss procedure options and get answers to your questions. You'll also meet our insurance specialist to review requirements related to your benefits and your personal health qualifications.

  1. Attend support group
  2. Complete the required medical appointments
  3. Obtain insurance approval for surgery
  4. Schedule surgery

Long-Term Support

From your initial evaluation through post-operative appointments and follow-up support groups, our team is with you every step of the way. You’ll receive lifelong guidance on lifestyle changes, nutrition education, exercise and medications to support your continued success.

As a surgical weight loss patient at Vanderbilt, you have access to any of our virtual support groups offered at convenient times throughout the week to assist and encourage you in your weight loss journey.

Why Choose Vanderbilt?

  • Highly skilled surgeons: Our surgeons are certified in bariatric surgery, making them uniquely qualified to care for you. They use the most advanced laparoscopic surgical options for weight loss surgery.
  • Collaborative, personalized care: Our surgeons work closely with bariatricians (doctors who treat obesity), nurses, dietitians, psychologists and exercise physiologists to create a tailored care plan that is right for you. Together, we can determine the best procedure based on your health, unique needs and personal preferences.
  • Advancing research and treatments: As part of an academic medical center, our team is continually exploring new and innovative approaches for weight loss. To help you achieve life-changing results, we provide you with access to the latest proven treatment options.
  • Convenient locations: We have clinics in Clarksville, Jackson, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, and Nashville.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Losing 50% to 70% of excess weight may be just the beginning. Other benefits may include:

  • Reduced depression by 47%
  • Reduced obstructive sleep apnea by 74%-98%
  • Reduced asthma by 69%
  • Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease by 82%
  • Resolved hypertension by 69%
  • Resolved GERD by 72%
  • Resolved urinary stress incontinence by 44%
  • Resolved osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease by 41%
  • Improved quality of life in 95% of patients
  • Reduced migraines by 57%
  • Reduced pseudotumore cerebri by 96%
  • Reduced hypercholesterolemia by 63%
  • Reduced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by 90%
  • Reduced metabolic syndrome by 80%
  • Reduced type II diabetes by 82%-98%
  • Reduced polycystic ovarian syndrome (79% reduction of hirsutism, 100% reduction of menstrual dysfunction)
  • Reduced venous stasis disease by 95%
  • Reduced gout by 77%
  • Reduced mortality in a five-year period by 89%

Laparoscopic SADI and Duodenal Switch

Laparoscopic SADI and Duodenal Switch surgeries promotes weight loss in three ways and have some similarities to both Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass:

  1. Part of the stomach is removed, similar to sleeve gastrectomy, which helps you eat smaller meals and feel less hungry.
  2. Food bypasses more of the small intestine, where most food and nutrients are absorbed, than with gastric bypass.
  3. Hormone changes decrease hunger and increase how full you feel after a meal.
To lose weight successfully after surgery, you should avoid:
    • Any fluids for 30 minutes before and after your meals
    • Foods that flow easily through your pouch
    • High-calorie meals and liquids
    • Snacks
You should:
    • Eat high-protein meals
    • Increase your activity
    • Keep a close eye on your vitamin intake

Download a PDF version of our Surgical Weight Loss Treatment Guide

Use this resource as you research whether or not surgical weight loss is right for you. When you have questions or concerns, we will work with you to come up with a customized treatment plan that gives you the best possible care for your condition.

Convenient Weight Loss Centers Across Middle Tennessee


Nashville: 719 Thompson Lane, Suite 22200

Clarksville: 800 Weatherly Drive, Suite 201

Jackson: 37 Sandstone Circle

Lebanon: 1616 West Main Street, Suite 300

Murfreesboro: 1272 Garrison Drive, Suite 309

Shelbyville: 112 Airport Business Park Road, Suite A

Spring Hill: 1003 Reserve Blvd., Suite 320


More Resources

Schedule an Appointment Today