The term Bariatric is derived from two different Greek words "baros" meaning weight and "iatros" meaning medical treatment. Bariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery which is used to treat obese people for whom other methods to lose weight have not proved successful. Laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding are the two most common weight loss approaches that are used frequently. Laparoscopic surgery, a type of minimally invasive surgery, is an advanced form of bariatric surgery which is the approach conducted in the majority of surgical weight loss procedures at Weill Cornell Weight Loss Surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery generally requires several small (1/4-1/2 inch) incisions which allow for a tiny camera to view the surgical field, and tiny surgical instruments designed for use through these incisions. This type of surgery often allows for a quick recovery period, less pain and a shorter hospital stay. Laparoscopic weight loss surgery also lowers the risk for complications from wound infections and hernias at the sites of the incisions. Whichever surgery you choose, it is important that the process be handled by a highly experienced team of surgeons.

The Weill Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program offers various surgical weight loss options with the latest bariatric surgery techniques in use. Medicare is one of the many insurance plans that we take, and that covers weight loss surgery. There are four types of obesity surgeries that are offered at the Weill Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program. Our team of skilled surgeons and health-care professionals at our medical weight loss clinic in Manhattan are ready and willing to help obese patients achieve their metabolic weight loss goals. Surgeons will discuss at length the various surgical options available with the patient to help determine the best choice for that unique patient.