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Surgical Care

Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)

What is Bariatric Surgery?

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, Bariatric Surgery might be for you.

If you’ve tried exercise and diet programs with little success, bariatric surgery may be an option. Most people experience rapid weight loss within the first 18 to 24 months of having the surgery.

Bariatric sugery involves making changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight. Some types of this surgery make the stomach smaller. Other types of this surgery also change the connection between your stomach and intestines.

Who Qualifies for Bariatric Surgery?

You may be eligible for this type of procedure if you are:

  • Have 100 pounds or more to lose.
  • Have a BMI at least 40 or higher.
  • Have a BMI of 35 and at least one other medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • Have tried and failed at other weight loss attempts.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?

Read this blog post for people diagnosed with obesity and who struggle to reach a healthy weight through diet and exercise alone. 

Obesity is recognized as a disease that can respond to treatment, not a condition that arises because someone lacks willpower. Bariatric surgery is minimally invasive and safe; the field is highly regulated. People routinely lose weight after the procedure. Learn more.

Bariatric Surgery vs. Medications

Weighing Your Options

If you’re dealing with obesity, bariatric surgery is the most effective solution for significant and healthy weight loss.

The numbers don’t lie: Bariatric surgery patients lose up to 69% of excess body weight at five years, compared to just 10% for patients on drug therapy. Most people experience rapid weight loss within the first 18 to 24 months of having the surgery.

Our team evaluates every patient and creates an individual plan to help them lose weight.  For patients with lower weight loss needs, like those who have less than 30-50lbs to lose, weight loss medications can be very helpful.  For more information, please visit our ChristianaCare Weight Management Center.  

Our doctors and staff will help you to make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you.

What are the Weight Loss Surgery Options?

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, our Delaware surgeons host free virtual seminars to walk you through the types of bariatric surgery including:

Gastric sleeve surgery

The surgeon removes more than half of your stomach, leaving a thin vertical sleeve, or tube.

Gastric bypass surgery

The surgeon uses a small part of your stomach to create a smaller stomach. This is connected to the middle part of the small intestine. As a result, food skips (bypasses) the rest of the stomach and part of the small intestine.

What are the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery?

Weight-loss surgery can help patients lose weight and improve many other health issues like:

  • High blood pressure
  • Sleep apnea
  • Asthma
  • Heart disease
  • Reflux
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • And more

Research also shows that patients live longer after weight loss surgery. Watch Shellee's story and learn more about the support you will receive from the ChristianaCare team. For Shellee, since her surgery, "it's like sunshine every day."

Our doctors and staff will help you to make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you.

What Should I Do if I’m Interested in Having Bariatric Surgery at ChristianaCare?

Get your questions answered by our surgeons at our free seminars. After you attend a seminar, schedule a personalized consultation by calling 302-320-4175. Our doctors and staff will help you to make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you. If you are unable to attend the seminar, please email BariatricSurgeryProgram@christianacare.org.

Bariatric Surgery Seminars

Learn about the types of bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.

A man stretches on an outdoor path before exercise

Virtual Tour

Welcome! We aim to provide the highest quality of care for our patients in their weight loss journey and to ensure our patients have a delightful experience on each visit. We know that many people are nervous about traveling to new places and like to know what to expect before they arrive. That’s why we created a virtual tour of the Bariatric Surgery Services main office along with some of the other places you will be visiting during your weight loss journey.

Post-Surgery Support

At ChristianaCare, we’re committed to your long-term success. After your surgery, we provide comprehensive support to help you recover as smoothly as possible and maintain lasting results. 

Bariatric Surgery Support Groups

Bariatric Support Groups are incredibly important after bariatric surgery. They are not only educational, but also provide encouragement and motivation in the pursuit of good health.

This hour-long session involves an educational presentation led by one or more of our ChristianaCare healthcare providers and patients followed by an open discussion. Our sessions are free and available to new and existing patients, as well as patients joining to learn more about bariatric surgery. 

Two women laughing while drinking water after exercise
ChristianaCare's Bariatric Cookbook

Bariatric patients are making healthier choices with their diet and our team has created a robust and diverse cookbook to provide new and exciting recipes. 

ChristianaCare's Bariatric Cookbook cover art

Newsletter

Register for our ChristianaCare Bariatric Surgery Program Monthly eNewsletter! Our newsletter is packed full of great information like Zoom links for our monthly support group, recipes, fun exercises, and other health tips.

Locations & Providers

Emergency entrance of Wilmington Hospital

ChristianaCare Bariatric Surgery Services at Wilmington View Location

501 West 14th Street
Wilmington Hospital
Gateway Building, Suite 2E15
Wilmington, DE 19801

Three-Star Quality Center for Bariatric Surgery Cigna
Blue Distinction Centre for Bariatric Surgery
MBS QIP American College of Surgeons American Society Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery QP
Aetna Institute's of Quality
CHRIAS - Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery

Related Services

Emergency entrance of Wilmington Hospital

Weight Management Center View Location

501 West 14th Street
Wilmington Hospital
Gateway Building, 4th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801

Emergency entrance of Wilmington Hospital

ChristianaCare Center for Surgical Optimization View Location

501 West 14th Street
Wilmington Hospital
Main Entrance Office 1N37
Wilmington, DE 19801

ChristianaCare Center for Surgical Optimization View Location

Christiana Hospital
Medical Arts Pavilion 1, Suite 112
4745 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Newark, DE 19713