Bariatric (Weight-Loss) Surgery

Forrest Health's weight loss surgery services offer bariatric care for people who are overweight and struggling to lose weight. Weight loss surgery - also known as bariatric surgery - helps you reach and maintain a healthy weight. This can lower the risk of medical complications and improve your quality of life.
What's Weight-Loss Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach to help people eat less and lose weight.
Benefits of Weight-Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery can help you lose up to 70% of your excess weight within the first 12 to 18 months after surgery. Losing extra weight may improve your:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar levels
- Chronic joint pain
- Digestive health
- Sleep
Comprehensive Support
Take advantage of everything you need to achieve long-term results with the help of:
- Providers with expertise in weight-loss
- Comprehensive weight-loss services like nutritution counseling and wellness pregrams
- Bariatric surgery support group
Complications of Obesity
Obesity can cause many health complications, some of which can be life-altering for you and your family. Complications include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Coronary artery disease
- Sleep apnea
- Joint and muscle weakness
Surgical Weight-Loss Options
Explore the surgical weight loss options available to help you achieve your goals. You'll work with your bariatric surgeon and care team to determine which procedure is right for you.
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Sleeve gastrectomy
These procedures can be completed using the laparoscope which minimizes pain and significantly shortens your hospital stay.
Our Procedures
We offer a wide variety of minimally invasive weight loss procedures including the following:
We also offer additional revision procedures including the following:
- Open Revision Gastric Bypass
- Robotic Removal Gastric Bands
Paying for Bariatric Surgery
Contact your insurance company to ask about your plan's coverage regarding weight loss surgery. If your insurance does not provide bariatric surgery coverage, call us to talk about self-pay options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of having weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery can reduce the rates of obesity related health issues including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain cancers. Many patients can see improvements in their underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea following surgery.
How much weight will I lose after having laparoscopic or robotic gastric sleeve?
Patients can lose up to 70% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. A majority of this weight loss occurs during the first 3 months following surgery.
How much weight will I lose after having open, laparoscopic, or robotic gastric bypass?
Patients can lose up to 70% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. A majority of this weight loss occurs during the first 12-18 months following surgery.
What are the benefits of laparoscopic or robotic gastric sleeve surgeries?
Gastric sleeve procedures are quicker than other weight loss surgeries and have low operative and mortality risks. These procedures lowers the level of hormones in your body that tell you that you are hungry by removing a portion of your stomach.
What are the benefits of open, laparoscopic, or robotic gastric bypass surgeries?
Gastric bypass procedures restrict the amount of food being eaten, calories being absorbed, and make you feel fuller. This procedure can also help with heart burn and gastric reflux.
Are there any risks associated with weight loss surgeries?
There are risks with all surgical procedures. Some of the risks associated with gastric sleeve surgeries are dehydration, pneumonia, blood clots, anastomotic leaks (where stomach contents can get into your abdominal cavity), strictures (when openings in your stomach are blocked and does not allow liquids or food to pass through), Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (malabsorption of vitamin B1 or thiamine), and death.
Why do I need a psychological evaluation before my surgery?
This is a requirement of the national bariatric surgery organization. This evaluation focuses on your ability and readiness to adapt to the necessary lifestyle changes pre- and post-operatively. We offer flexible, online options for most patients.
How do I know if my insurance will cover the surgery?
You can contact your insurance company directly to find out if your policy covers bariatric surgery. We encourage you to call prior to your surgical consultation. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Hattiesburg Clinic Weight Management to get connected with a staff member who can assist you.
If my insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, can I still have surgery?
We do offer self-pay options for patients that do not have bariatric surgery coverage.
What other resources are available to me prior to surgery?
Hattiesburg Clinic Weight Management offers comprehensive weight loss services, as well as a bariatric surgery support group that you are eligible to join.