Treatment for obesity may focus on related health problems as much as on weight loss. Your physician can advise you on your various options for weight loss, which may include diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, as well as medication.

An increasingly common approach to weight loss is surgery. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, more than 200,000 obese people had weight loss surgery in 2008, up from about 16,000 in the early 1990s. Most bariatric (or weight loss) surgery focuses on either reducing the size of the stomach or reducing calorie absorption. Both approaches share the same goal: To reduce the body's ability to absorb and store calories in the form of excess fat.

If your doctor recommends surgery to control your weight, you may be a candidate for da Vinci Gastric Bypass, potentially one of the most effective, least invasive options for weight loss surgery. da Vinci Gastric Bypass allows surgeons to provide the gold standard treatment, using only a few small incisions.

In addition, da Vinci Gastric Bypass offers the potential for better outcomes than with open or laparoscopic approaches. This is because da Vinci provides surgeons with superior visualization, dexterity, control and ergonomics required for this technically demanding operation. da Vinci allows surgeons to operate on higher-BMI patients; it can result in shorter procedures times and may offer reduced risk for serious complications by providing surgeons with superior visualization and instrumentation.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is both patient- and procedure-specific. While da Vinci Gastric Bypass is considered safe and effective, it may not be appropriate for every individual. Additional treatment options for obesity may be available and most appropriate for your particular medical condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

Surgeons at El Camino Hospital who specialize in robotic bariatric surgery:

Roux En Y Gastric Bypass - Weight Loss Surgery Program | Bariatrics
Dr. Barry Sanchez
Dr. Albert Wetter

For more information about robotic surgery at El Camino Hospital or for a physician referral please call the El Camino Hospital Health Line at 800-216-5556.