Bariatric Surgery (Weight-loss Surgery) Services & Treatments

Is your weight controlling your life and affecting your health? The Bariatric Surgery team offers proven, medically based solutions for long-term weight loss.

Find out more about our bariatric surgery services:

Conditions and consultations

Bariatric surgery may be an option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, depending on medical conditions. Insurance coverage for surgery varies, and some insurance programs require a higher BMI.

Conditions that can be improved with bariatric surgery include:

Difficulty breathing
Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Low back pain and degenerative disk or joint disease
Risk of cancer
Risk of heart disease
Sleep apnea
Type 2 diabetes

Diagnosis and treatments

We specialize in two types of minimally invasive bariatric surgery and will help you select the one that is right for you.

The two types of surgery we provide are:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

The surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach and reroutes the small bowel into this pouch, restricting the amount of food you can eat. The body also experiences hormonal and chemical changes that help with losing weight and becoming more sensitive to insulin.

Watch a video on how a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is done:

Sleeve gastrectomy

The surgeon removes about 75% of the stomach, resulting in a smaller, banana-shaped stomach, decreasing the amount of food you can eat. It also results in some metabolic changes, but they typically are less than with gastric bypass surgery.

Watch a video on how a sleeve gastrectomy is done:

Bariatric surgery specialists

Our team of experts is sensitive, supportive and respectful. We're with you every step of the way — before, during and after surgery — while focusing on your emotional, physical, nutritional and educational needs.

Our specialists include:

Surgeon — Meets during surgery consideration and performs the surgery
Medical bariatrician — Treats chronic and undiagnosed medical conditions, and follows up after surgery to monitor weight loss, vitamin levels and manage medication for long-term health maintenance
Bariatric surgery coordinator — Facilitates pre- and postoperative care phases
Psychologist or psychiatrist — Assesses emotional readiness for bariatric surgery in addition to lifestyle changes preparation necessary for long-term success
Exercise counselor — Develops a personalized fitness plan
Nutrition counselor — Coaches proper nutrition, portion size, lifestyle changes and dietary changes needed before and after surgery
Polysomnography technologist or sleep physician — Assesses for and treats sleep apnea

Referrals

You can make an appointment without a referral from your provider — simply call the appointment number of your preferred Bariatric Surgery location.

If you're a non-Mayo Clinic Health System provider, you can refer patients to Bariatric Surgery online, by phone or by fax. We value the opportunity to collaborate with you on a treatment plan.

FAQ

What should I bring for my first appointment?

For your first appointment, bring your current prescription information or medical records from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form (PDF) to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

How long will it take to complete the program?

It varies for each patient. Some complete it in three to six months, while others may take much longer. In some cases, the length of completion is determined by insurance.

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those with an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options.