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A woman discussing bariatric surgery with a doctor.

Bariatric Surgery

Has losing weight and keeping it off been a constant uphill battle? Are you worried that your weight is putting you at risk for serious health problems?

Bariatric surgery could be the answer. Deciding to have bariatric surgery (also called weight loss surgery) is a life-changing decision. It means starting on a journey that can help you achieve long-lasting weight loss and better health overall. It’s also a decision that requires consistency, dedication and commitment for the rest of your life, so it’s normal to feel nervous and a little scared.

At Cleveland Clinic, our experienced and compassionate bariatric surgery team will help you understand exactly what’s going to happen and make sure that you get the very best care before, during and after surgery. We want to help you meet your weight loss goals and improve your health. And we’ll be right there beside you — every step of the way.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Bariatric Surgery?

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Demonstrated expertise:

Our highly skilled, experienced surgeons do over 1,000 surgeries each year, including surgeries for people with complex needs and those who need a reoperation (second surgery). Meet our team.

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Minimally invasive techniques:

Our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques like bariatric endoscopy, which help you recover faster.

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Recognized expertise:

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons named Cleveland Clinic a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. This means that our surgery program has a proven record of good outcomes.

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Patient-centered care:

Your care team will thoroughly prepare you physically and emotionally for surgery. Your personalized plan will include one-on-one education, support groups and the opportunity to have shared appointments with others having bariatric surgery. Our facilities are leading-edge and designed specifically to care for our bariatric surgery patients.

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Personalized care:

Our team of bariatric surgery specialists will be with you every step of the way on your weight loss journey. This team includes your surgeon, dietitian, psychologist, obesity medicine provider and a patient navigator. Your navigator will be your point person throughout your bariatric surgery journey. They’ll offer encouragement and support, answer questions and help you with the surgery qualification process.

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Compassionate care:

Each member of our bariatric surgery team is compassionate, understanding and nonjudgmental. We understand that making the decision to have bariatric surgery isn’t easy. And we’re passionate about helping you change your life for the better.

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National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Deciding if Bariatric Surgery Is Right for You

Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective medical treatment for obesity, which reduces your overall body fat. It’s a long-term solution that gets to the root of what’s causing you to have trouble losing weight and keeping it off.

In addition to weight loss, bariatric surgery may help lower high blood pressure and reduce or eliminate, sleep apnea, joint pain, infertility (inability to get pregnant) and depression. Studies show that bariatric surgery can even cause long-term remission of Type 2 diabetes.

Bariatric surgery is considered an option if your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or more. If your BMI is 35 and you have any of these health conditions, you might also qualify for surgery:

You may also qualify for surgery if your BMI is over 30 and you have an unmanaged condition that’s related to obesity, like diabetes.

Other Options for Weight Management at Cleveland Clinic

If you don’t meet the guidelines for surgery, choose not to have surgery or have gained weight even after surgery, there’s still hope. Your healthcare provider can recommend other types of weight management care, which combine diet, exercise and behavioral therapy. We’ll put together a weight loss plan that will help you meet your goals if surgery isn’t for you.

Bariatric endoscopy

Your provider may recommend minimally invasive bariatric endoscopy if you’re having problems after surgery or are gaining the weight back. There are several different types of bariatric endoscopic procedures. Your provider will go over which one they feel is the best option for you.

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Your Bariatric Surgery Care Team at Cleveland Clinic

At Cleveland Clinic, we believe in using the skill and experience of many specialists for your care. When you and your healthcare provider have decided that bariatric surgery is right for you, your care team will include Cleveland Clinic experts who’ll help manage all parts of your weight loss journey. Your team may include:

  • A surgeon.
  • A physician or nurse practitioner specializing in obesity.
  • A bariatric psychologist.
  • A dietitian.
  • An exercise physiologist.
  • A patient navigator.

What is a patient navigator?

The patient navigator serves as your point of contact and helps guide you through your weight loss journey. Our navigators have over 75 years of experience getting people through the qualification process for bariatric surgery. They understand that the journey can be long and complicated, and they’ll be honest, caring, motivating and supportive throughout the process. They’ll also answer your questions and help with insurance requirements and medical, nutritional, psychological and surgical requirements.

Bariatric Surgery Options at Cleveland Clinic

Your surgeon will consider many things before recommending the surgery that’s best for you. These things include your BMI, eating and exercise habits, other health conditions, surgeries you’ve had before and the risks of each procedure. At Cleveland Clinic, our surgeons typically use minimally invasive surgery techniques, which mean smaller incisions (cuts), less pain and faster recoveries.

Types of bariatric surgery we offer

Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass: Your surgeon makes a small stomach pouch (enough to hold a cup of liquid) and connects it to the lower part of your small intestine. When you eat, the food bypasses (goes around) the rest of your stomach and empties directly into your intestine. You’ll feel full with less food.

Sleeve gastrectomy: Your surgeon removes about 75% of your stomach, leaving a narrow “tube” or “sleeve” about the size of a banana. Since this procedure makes your stomach a lot smaller, you won’t be able to eat a lot of food at one time.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: This procedure (sometimes just called a duodenal switch) combines a sleeve gastrectomy with an intestinal bypass. It limits how much food your stomach can hold and also how much nutrition your small intestine can absorb (take in) from your food. It also takes away some of your hunger hormones so you won’t feel as hungry. It’s especially helpful if you have extreme overweight or Type 2 diabetes.

Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileostomy Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S): This procedure is a modified version of the duodenal switch. It bypasses only about half of your small intestine, which leaves enough intestine to absorb more nutrients.

What to expect before surgery

Before any type of bariatric surgery, you’ll meet with your surgeon twice. At the first visit, you’ll:

  • Talk about the procedure.
  • Talk about financial and insurance requirements.
  • Go over your medical history.
  • See a bariatric psychologist.
  • Have a thorough medical evaluation.

You’ll also learn what pre-surgery tests you might need, like:

When your consultations and tests are completed, you’ll have your second visit before surgery. At this visit, you’ll:

  • Meet with your surgeon again to go over your test results, talk about the surgery’s risks and benefits and ask questions.
  • Meet with your anesthesia team.
  • Get instructions for a liquid diet that you’ll start two weeks before surgery.

What to expect after surgery

Recovery from bariatric surgery is usually fast. Most people are back to work at a desk job within two to four weeks. You’ll need to eat slowly and drink less during meals so there’s more room for solid foods. A dietitian will provide you with dietary rules to follow. A big part of successful weight loss surgery is lifestyle change. At Cleveland Clinic, we want you to be successful. We have many support groups to help you with eating, exercising and staying motivated after surgery. You’ll also need to meet with your care team throughout the first year after surgery for follow-up visits.

Insurance Coverage for Bariatric Surgery

Insurance coverage varies for weight loss surgeries. It’s important to call your insurance provider to see if your policy covers surgical weight loss. Your patient navigator will confirm your benefits and help guide discussions with your insurance company so you can get approval for surgery. We understand how important having bariatric surgery is for you, and we’ll work with you every step of the way to make it happen if at all possible.

Self-pay option

We have affordable self-pay options if you qualify medically for bariatric surgery but your insurance doesn’t cover the procedure. Our financial counselor can help you navigate the process if you choose to self-pay.

Taking the Next Step

Bariatric surgery is a powerful solution for weight loss, but it’s only the first step. Your dedication to a healthy lifestyle is important to changing your life for the better. If you’ve watched the seminar and you and your provider have decided that surgery is a good option, we’re ready to help guide you through each part of the process.

If you’re interested in bariatric surgery, the very first step we ask you to take is to sign up for our online informational seminar. The seminar will teach you about the process of having surgery, including your surgery options, what to expect and answers to some of the most common questions.

Online Seminar

If you’re interested in bariatric surgery, the very first step we ask you to take is to sign up for our online informational seminar. The seminar will teach you about the process of having surgery, including your surgery options, what to expect and answers to some of the most common questions.


Wondering if your insurance will cover bariatric surgery? Our patient navigators can help guide you through questions about insurance and coverage for weight loss surgery. We also have financial counselors ready to answer your questions.

Billing & Insurance

Wondering if your insurance will cover bariatric surgery? Our patient navigators can help guide you through questions about insurance and coverage for weight loss surgery. We also have financial counselors ready to answer your questions.


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