Weight-Loss Surgery Procedures & Services

Many individuals who are morbidly obese, (100 lb. or more overweight), are in need of weight loss surgery to lose weight and keep it off long term. Dr. Gadaleta and Dr. Gellman are highly skilled, experienced surgeons. They perform several procedures to help people in need of significant weight loss including: laparoscopic and open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Gastric Banding. The procedures are done at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, which has recently been named as a Bariatric Center of Excellence". This outstanding designation was accomplished through the dedication of the physicians as well as the staff at North Shore University Hospital and North Shore Surgical Specialists since the inception of the comprehensive weight loss surgery program in 1997.

Deciding to undergo weight loss surgery is very serious. It requires a commitment to a complete lifestyle change including diet and exercise. Only you can decide which procedure will work best for you. The procedures will be explained to you fully on your first office visit. You will be given information regarding support group meetings, as well as a list of patients who have undergone surgery. At the pre-op meeting, you will meet patients who have had surgery as well as others who are waiting to have surgery. It is mandatory to attend at least one of these meetings and you are encouraged to bring a friend or family member with you. Individuals on the support list have volunteered their time to speak with patients who would like more personal, first hand information regarding the surgical experience.

Again, choosing the right procedure to meet your needs is a very individual decision. The comprehensive bariatric team will advise you if there is a reason why one procedure would benefit you over another. However, the final decision lies with you and your thoughtful, educated and honest assessment of your needs and desires.

We have prepared a PDF document for you containing everything on this page and more about weight loss surgery.

Roux-en-Y Bypass Surgery

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass creates a small pouch in the stomach that holds about ¼ cup of solid food, or about 2 ounces of beverage or other fluid. The pouch is constructed with staples and then a special connection is made directly into the small intestine, where digestion begins.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Bypass Surgery

If your surgery is done laparoscopically, the surgery is performed through small holes made in your abdomen (called TROCAR sites) instead of a large incision.

Open Roux-en-Y Bypass Surgery

If you undergo open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, the surgery is done through an abdominal incision between your navel and rib cage.

Whether or not your surgery will be done open or laparoscopically will be determined, ultimately, by your surgeon. The dynamics of the surgery are still the same, it is just the technique of how it is done that is different.

Read more (PDF) »

Lap-Banding

The Lap-Band is a device that is placed around the stomach laparoscopically. The band has a saline ring that restricts the amount of food entering the stomach, as well as a locking part which securely holds the band in a circle around the stomach. After surgery if you need or desire more food restriction, the saline ring will be inflated. If you need less restriction, you may also have the band deflated. The Lap-Band can easily be removed if necessary.

Read more (PDF) »

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

The operation you will have can only work with your commitment to change your lifestyle, particularly with regard to diet and exercise. The surgery can make it easier to change your behavior to more positive ones.

  • 90% of Gastric Bypass patients lose 50-80% of their excess body weight.
  • 90% of Lap-Banding patients lose 40-60% if their excess body weight.
  • Most people with hypertension (high blood pressure) and/or diabetes no longer need medications.
  • Return of normal periods for young women with abnormal or absent menses.
  • Males will have greater and improved sexual function.
  • Improved sleep by reducing period of sleep apnea.
  • Slowing of disabling effects of arthritis.
  • More energy.
  • Enhanced appearance, physical and mental outlook.

 

Seminars

Meetings are subject to change due to inclement weather, holidays and other unforeseen circumstances; please call the office to confirm meeting on the day you plan to attend.

  • Pre-operative Gastric Bypass Seminar & Support Group Meeting

    Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of every month, in our office at 6 p.m. Key aspects of pre-operative preparation for surgery and post-operative lifestyle changes are discussed. This meeting is mandatory for anyone undergoing the procedure. Patients are permitted to bring up to 2 people with them to the meeting. Material discussed is inappropriate for children.

  • Post operative support group meetings

     All patients are encouraged to attend the post operative support group meetings for emotional support as well as valuable information from guest speakers who direct the content of their material to the post operative weight loss patient.  Guest speakers include: dieticians and psychiatrists trained especially in weight loss surgery, exercise physiologists and plastic surgeons.  A newsletter is mailed every quarter so you will know the upcoming topics of the meetings.

     

    The post-operative support group meetings are held at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.  The meetings will be on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6:30pm to 8 p.m. in the conference room in The Center for Extended Care (this is NOT in the main hospital, see below for directions).

     

    North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030

    Directions:  From LIE-traveling east or west- Go to exit 33, (Community Drive), Hospital is on the right side, drive into entrance #3, main entrance.  Drive past the main hospital, up the hill, and drive to the right around the bend and go straight.  The Center for Extended Care is straight ahead.  The parking is free.  Walk into the building and enter the conference room.

    Pre-operative Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Support Group Meeting

    Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. The meetings are from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. All patients are encouraged to attend the meetings after surgery. We often feature guest speakers and we talk about various topics relating to the post operative lifestyle of the patients.

 

 

More Information

The full PDF document contains in-depth information about weight loss surgery, including these topics:

  • Preparing for Your Surgery
  • Risk of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
  • Risk of Laparoscopic Banding
  • Initial Office Visit
  • Pre-Surgical Testing (PST) Visit
  • Medical Clearance Visit
  • Day of Surgery
  • After Surgery
  • Recovery in the Hospital
  • Keeping Your Lungs In Shape
  • Walking to a Rapid Recovery
  • How to Get out of Bed with an Abdominal Incision
  • Going Home
  • Follow-up
  • Side Effects of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
  • Side Effects of Lap-Banding
  • Medications
  • Post-operative Diets
 

Back to top ↑

North Shore Surgical Specialists

310 East Shore Road
Suite 203
Great Neck, NY 11023

Tel: (516) 482-8657
Fax: (516) 829-0002



Learn More & Get The Facts



Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Download it for free, if you don't have it already.