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Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Renewals

Medicaid and CHIP eligibility renewals are required this year. Learn more

Surgical Care

Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)

Bariatric Surgery Benefits Seminars Support Locations & Providers

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.

Learn More

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 to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions. Research shows that patients live longer after weight loss surgery.

Most people experience rapid weight loss within the first 18 to 24 months of having the 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.

Support

Bariatric Surgery Support Groups

Bariatric Support Groups are incredibly important in long term success before and after Bariatric Surgery. They are educational, but also provide encouragement and motivation in the pursuit of good health. This hour-long session involves an educational presentation by one of our ChristianaCare healthcare providers followed by an open discussion. We welcome patients who have not only undergone Bariatric Surgery, but also those who are interested in and/or starting the process of Bariatric Surgery.

Join us for an interactive and informative meeting for patients.

Two women laughing while drinking water after exercise

ChristianaCare's Bariatric Cookbook

Our program dietitians have found that as patients journey through the phases of eating after bariatric surgery, they sometimes struggle to find creative ideas on how to prepare meals and keep their meals exciting. We developed a cookbook to help you be creative with your food as you advance your diet post operatively.

View Now

ChristianaCare's Bariatric Cookbook cover art

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