Bariatric Surgery

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Bariatric Surgery Program has made pioneering advances in weight-loss surgery for more than two decades.

Our accredited Bariatric Surgery Center offers all types of bariatric operations – including minimally invasive and robotic procedures – as well as comprehensive support services for pre- and post-operative patients.

Is Surgery Right for Me?

Take a short survey to find out if bariatric surgery can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

See if You're a Candidate

Leading-Edge Procedures, Expert Care Help Facilitate Weight Loss

Obesity, a critical health epidemic in the U.S., is linked to a number of serious medical concerns – from diabetes to cardiovascular disease to certain types of cancer. In 2017, between 30 percent and 39 percent of children and adults in Texas were obese, while adult obesity exceeded 30 percent in 25 states.

When diet, exercise, and other weight-loss methods have failed, many people turn to bariatric surgery to lose weight. It's important to remember that for bariatric surgery to be successful, it will require effort and the help and guidance of a specially trained team of experts.

UT Southwestern is the largest medical center in North Texas and a regional and national referral center. Accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, our Bariatric Surgery Center offers a full range of procedures, along with support services for pre- and post-operative patients.

Our expert bariatric surgeons have performed more than 4,000 operations and have trained more than 100 board-certified surgeons. Many currently practicing bariatric surgeons received their training at UT Southwestern.

Our bariatric surgery team works closely with subspecialists in anesthesiology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, plastic surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and internal medicine to deliver comprehensive, top-tier medical care.

Bariatric Procedures We Offer

UT Southwestern’s experienced bariatric surgeons perform procedures that include:

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A minimally invasive operation in which 90 percent of the stomach is removed, leaving a much smaller, tube-shaped stomach (“sleeve”)
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A minimally invasive procedure that greatly reduces the stomach size and bypasses several feet of small intestine
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND^(R)): A minimally invasive surgery in which an inflatable balloon-type device is placed around the upper portion of the stomach
Revisional bariatric surgery: Sometimes necessary to help patients who have failed to lose weight or are suffering from complications of previous bariatric surgery

What to Consider Before Bariatric Surgery

People who are considering bariatric surgery should ask themselves:

Are you ready to do the work required to successfully begin and maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Are you ready to change your life?
Do you have a social support network to help and support you along your journey?

MBSAQIP Accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program — MBSAQIP Accredited - Bariatric Surgery Center

How We're Different

We're a trusted, nonprofit hospital with no quotas

We have been designated an MBSAQIP Accredited - Bariatric Surgery Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). As a nonprofit hospital, UT Southwestern Medical Center has no quotas, and quality is of the utmost importance. Also, academically accredited bariatric centers like ours have been shown to lower complication rates, shorten hospital stays, and save on costs.

We stay current with the latest research

Our bariatric surgeons are involved not only in treating obesity but also studying the causes and preventive measures to truly understand how to achieve success in sustained, long-term weight loss. As a leading-edge research institution, we ensure that the latest technologies and advancements are accessible to you for the best possible patient experience.

We treat you like family

Developing a relationship with your bariatric team prior to surgery and continuing that partnership with regular follow-up visits are key to successful and safe weight loss. Bariatric surgery is a lifelong commitment. Your relationship with your bariatric center and surgeon should be a lifelong commitment, as well.

Our Bariatric Surgery Accomplishments

We are a regional and national referral center and have achieved many bariatric surgery milestones, including:

First to perform gastric banding with single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in North Texas (2008)
First to perform laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band) in North Texas (2001)
First to perform the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in North Texas (1999)

Attend a Bariatric Surgery Information Seminar

Attend one of our free, no-obligation bariatric surgery seminars to meet our team and learn about the procedures we offer. Our bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and other team members will explain each procedure, what you will need to do before and after surgery, and answer any questions you may have. To reserve your seat, please complete and submit the sign-up form.