Medical and Surgical Weight Loss

Surgery can be a scary prospect, but it’s important to remember that the benefits of weight loss typically outweigh the risks associated with surgery. Weight-loss surgery has benefits beyond weight loss as well, which may include:

• Long-term remission or reversal of type 2 diabetes*
• Improved mobility and increased energy
• Lowered risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke
• Reduced or eliminated joint pain
• Improved mood and feelings of wellbeing
• Increased self-esteem and confidence

*A study by the National Institutes of Health found that 10 to 15 years after having weight-loss surgery, obese patients were less likely to develop — and more likely to recover from — type 2 diabetes and other heart disease risk factors. These patients also showed an almost 25 percent reduction in early death, compared with obese patients who didn't have the procedure.

The da Vinci Xi system lets our surgeons perform gastric bypass (also called Roux-en-Y) and sleeve gastrectomy bariatric procedures using minimally invasive techniques. Patients may have a shorter length of stay after surgery when their doctor uses the precise capabilities of the da Vinci system. Here’s how robotic-assisted surgery works:

• Your surgeon makes a few small incisions and uses a 3D high-definition camera for a clear, magnified view of the surgical area.
• Using the camera, the surgeon guides the tiny instruments to perform the procedure.
• Every hand movement of the surgeon is translated by the da Vinci system in real-time, bending and rotating the instruments so he or she can operate on the digestive system.

Da Vinci has an over 20-year history of robotic-assisted surgeries for more than 6 million patients across a variety of procedures. Surgeons choose this approach for the visibility and precision it offers during surgery.

At Baptist, our commitment to your health doesn’t end after weight-loss surgery. Exercise is a necessary part of your new healthy lifestyle, and we make it convenient with multiple locations throughout San Antonio.

Healthlink is a system of health and fitness centers open to the public offering month-to-month memberships. As an extension of the Baptist Health System, the staff at Healthlink works with your doctor to develop a results-driven program specific to your current fitness level and goals. Physical therapy services are also available with a doctor's referral.