How Does Bariatric Surgery Work? Understanding the Process at UChicago | AdventHealth LaGrange

How Bariatric Surgery Works: A Guide for Patients in La Grange, Naperville & Beyond

Bariatric surgery is more than just reducing the size of your stomach—it’s a life-changing medical tool that helps you lose weight, improve health, and often reverse chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes.

At University of Chicago | AdventHealth LaGrange Hospital, Dr. Jihad Kudsi, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, guides patients from Naperville, Oak Brook, and across Chicago’s western suburbs through every step of the journey. But first—how exactly does bariatric surgery work?

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery, refers to a group of procedures that help people with obesity lose weight by changing how the digestive system handles food.

The three most common procedures are:

• Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
• Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
• SIPS / SADI-S (Stomach Intestinal Pylorus-Sparing Surgery)

Each has unique benefits—but they all work in similar core ways.

How Bariatric Surgery Helps You Lose Weight

✅ 1. Restriction

All bariatric surgeries reduce the size of your stomach so you feel full with less food. For example:

• Sleeve Gastrectomy removes ~80% of the stomach
• Gastric Bypass creates a small pouch from the stomach

This limits how much you can eat at one time and helps lower calorie intake naturally.

✅ 2. Hormonal Changes

Bariatric surgery changes the gut hormones involved in:

• Hunger (ghrelin)
• Blood sugar regulation (GLP-1, insulin sensitivity)
• Satiety (feeling full)

These hormonal shifts reduce cravings, improve insulin function, and help regulate metabolism—often leading to remission of Type 2 diabetes.

✅ 3. Malabsorption (in some surgeries)

Procedures like gastric bypass and SIPS reroute part of the small intestine. This limits how many calories and nutrients your body absorbs from food.

This added effect boosts weight loss but requires long-term vitamin supplementation and monitoring.

How Quickly Do You Lose Weight?

• Most patients lose 50–80% of their excess weightwithin the first 12–18 months.
• The most rapid weight loss occurs in the first 6 months.
• You’ll also see improvements in:

• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• High blood pressure
• Joint pain
• Fertility and PCOS

What About Recovery and Lifestyle?

• Minimally invasive techniques (like robotic or laparoscopic surgery) mean faster healing.
• Most patients return to normal activities within 2–3 weeks.
• Long-term success requires:

• A healthy eating plan
• Physical activity
• Regular follow-ups with your bariatric team

Why Patients in Naperville, Oak Brook & Western Suburbs Trust Us

At UChicago | AdventHealth LaGrange, patients choose Dr. Kudsi and his expert team for:

• Advanced robotic surgery options
• High success and safety rates
• Long-term support for nutrition, fitness, and mental health

Ready to Take the First Step?

Schedule a consultation with our bariatric team today and discover how weight loss surgery can transform your health and life.