Begin your path to a vibrant, new you

HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?

Call our office at 505-727-2790

WHY LOVELACE BARIATRICS

Lovelace Westside Hospital is the only Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery in the state of New Mexico. This designation is given to hospitals that provide a full range of bariatric surgery care, including surgical care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education. These centers have lower complication rates and fewer readmissions and demonstrate more affordable care in addition to quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results.

Our bariatrics program has been named a Fully Accredited MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accredited Quality Improvement Program) by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The MBSAQIP Accreditation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes and low complication rates.

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR MY SURGERY?

If you are considering bariatric surgery, call your insurance company to verify bariatric benefits for the treatment of morbid obesity.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY?

Bariatric surgery may be an option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. If you have other serious health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, bariatric surgery may be beneficial if your BMI is between 35 and 40. If your BMI is below 35, you will not qualify for surgery.

WHAT TYPES OF WEIGHT LOSS PROCEDURES DO YOU OFFER?

Lovelace Bariatrics offers several types of procedures, including:

Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass - This is the most common procedure. A surgeon creates a small pouch from the stomach and connects it directly to the small intestine. This helps lower the amount of food you can eat in one sitting.

Sleeve gastrectomy - This procedure removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving a long, tube-like pouch. This smaller stomach can't hold as much food. It also produces less of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin, which can curb your desire to eat.

Duodenal switch - This procedure modifies your stomach and your small intestine. It combines a gastrectomy (removal of part of your stomach) with an intestinal bypass to shorten the path your food takes through your intestines.

Revision surgeries - Your body changes over time, which can have an impact on the changes made by weight loss surgery. Bariatric revision surgery can correct those changes or improve a previous procedure.

All of these procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques by a fellowship-trained and board certified bariatric surgeon. Watch our free online seminar for more details.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

We offer free virtual seminars that answer many patients’ most frequently asked questions. You can also reach out to our bariatric coordinator anytime at  505-727-2790.