Bariatric surgery can change your life
Millions of Americans struggle with their weight, but the battle to overcome severe obesity can be especially difficult. The Bariatric Surgery Program (also known as weight loss surgery) offers several procedures for the surgical management of obesity including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric revision surgery.
If you are ready to get started, we offer an Introduction to Bariatric Surgery session in Lebanon and Manchester. We’ll help guide you through the steps of initial insurance requirements and medical appointments. We help our patients lose weight and change their outlook on eating, exercising, and living life.
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is an operation that makes your stomach smaller. It may include bypassing some of your intestines. The surgery also affects the hormones in your body that control hunger. This results in making you feel full after eating smaller amounts of food. Bariatric surgery improves your body’s ability to achieve a healthy weight and improves health issues related to obesity.
What are the requirements for bariatric surgery?
Keep in mind that bariatric surgery is not a magic cure for obesity. It is a tool to help you lose weight along with a healthy diet and regular daily exercise. Lost weight can be quickly regained if you continue to overeat and don't adhere to a healthy diet.
You must meet minimal criteria for bariatric surgery, as proposed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These criteria include:
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, or
- A BMI between 35 and 40 and at high risk for serious obesity-related conditions that could cause death, such as sleep apnea, heart problems, or severe diabetes, or
- Failed attempts at traditional weight loss methods
- Physical problems caused by obesity that interfere with lifestyle, or body size that causes severe problems with work, family role, and walking
Learn more about bariatric surgery (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery).
Attend a free introductory session.
Program locations
We offer bariatric surgery programs in Lebanon and in Concord/Manchester. When deciding which program is right for you, it is important for you to consider many factors. We encourage you to visit each program location to learn more about its pre- and post-surgery education and support, as protocols vary by program location. Both of our locations offer Roux-en Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, removal of gastric bands and revisional surgery. Programs in both locations are accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
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Concord/Manchester/Nashua (serving southern New Hampshire): The surgeons at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Concord and Manchester perform surgery at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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Lebanon: Established 40 years ago, the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Program is the longest continually operating program in northern New England. We have 3 surgeons and a full supporting team.