Weight loss surgery in Nashville, Tennessee
At TriStar Health hospitals, our mission is to improve your quality of life and maximize your health. For some patients, we fulfill this mission through weight management programs and treatment for obesity. If you cannot lose weight through healthy diet and exercise, we can explore bariatric surgery as an option for weight management. Bariatric surgery is offered at two Nashville locations including TriStar Centennial Center for Weight Management and TriStar Southern Hills.
Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?
Weight loss management
Our medical weight-loss programs provide treatment in a clinical setting with a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor, registered dietitian and/or a psychologist. These programs offer services such as nutrition and physical activity counseling and behavioral modification counseling.
The medical weight management of obesity may include:
- Education and counseling with a Registered Dietitian
- Development of an activity plan
- Education and counseling with a Psychologist regarding behavior modification
- Discussion of utilization of pharmacotherapy (weight-loss medications)
BMI Calculator
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
Your BMI Score is:
All information provided by this website is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a health care professional. No information provided in this site may be considered medical advice. The information may not be relevant for your individual situation and may be misinterpreted. HCA assumes no responsibility for how you use information obtained from this site. Before making any decisions regarding your health care, ask your personal physician.
Types of bariatric surgery
We offer several weight loss surgery options, with an emphasis on minimally invasive care. Types of bariatric surgery we perform include:
Sleeve gastrectomy
A sleeve gastrectomy also limits the amount of food you can eat. However, unlike lap banding or a gastric bypass, most of the stomach is removed (approximately 80 percent). This achieves weight loss through reduced food intake and hormonal changes.
Ideal candidates: appropriate for a BMI >35 with co morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. This procedure is considered a treatment for metabolic syndrome.
Gastric bypass
Gastric bypass limits how much food you need to feel full. Also, the food you ingest will bypass some parts of the stomach and small intestine. This reduces the amount of calories you get from eating, and it causes gut hormones to release earlier - which will make you feel less hungry.
During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into upper and lower pouches. Then, the small intestines are modified to connect to both stomach pouches
Ideal candidates: appropriate for a BMI >35 with co morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. This procedure is considered a treatment for metabolic syndrome. The gastric bypass can also eliminate the need for reflux medications.
Duodenal switch
A DS limits how much you can eat. The procedure involves two steps:
- A sleeve gastrectomy
- Connecting the intestine to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach)
Ideal Candidates: appropriate for people with a high BMI >55.
Revision surgery
Revision surgery is a "corrective procedure." This means a bariatric surgeon may perform this type of operation to:
- Correct issues associated with weight loss surgery, such as a slipped gastric band or an enlarged stomach pouch
- Correct issues preventing weight loss, such as the intestines absorbing too many calories
- Correct medical complications resulting from surgery, such as bone loss or not absorbing vitamins and minerals correctly
Intragastric balloon
An intragastric balloon is inserted orally, guided through your esophagus and placed directly into your stomach. This is an outpatient procedure that can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.
The balloon stays in place for six months. During this time, you will fill fuller faster. The reduced intake of food helps facilitate weight loss.
Support on your weight loss journey
As a bariatric patient, you will receive ongoing support from our weight loss coaches. This includes:
- Seminars or Webinars about weight loss surgery options before you choose a procedure
- Classes with dietitians and exercise physiologists
- Education and counseling about diet, lifestyle changes and weight loss medication
- Post-surgery classes or support groups to assist in maintaining a healthy weight after surgery
