VA Boston Healthcare System

Bariatric Surgery Program

What is Bariatric Surgery?  Bariatric Surgery, or weight loss surgery (abbreviated WLS), is surgery to help you lose weight.  

Surgery is only a TOOL to help you lose weight, you must also make a life-long commitment to changing your diet and overall lifestyle.  Sometimes this surgery is performed by making your stomach smaller (or “restrictive”) and sometimes this surgery also involves changing the path food takes through your intestines (or “malabsorptive”). 

We perform two types of weight loss surgeries at the VA Boston – the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and the Sleeve Gastrectomy.  We do not perform  Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery (also known as the “ Lap Band”) at the VA Boston, but we will follow patients postoperatively after they have had Lap Band surgery performed at sites outside of our VA.  Ask your primary care provider for a consult so that an appointment can be scheduled.

What are the initial criteria for a bariatric surgery consultation?

1. BMI of 35 or higher with comorbidities or BMI of 40 or greater
Co-morbid medical conditions include Diabetes Mellitus, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and  debilitating arthritis. 

Calculate your BMI 

2.  History of participation in the MOVE program for 3 months, or documentation of participation in a similar program outside of the VA (Weight Watchers, etc.)

3.  No history of tobacco use for at least 6 weeks prior to consult and patients will not smoke after surgery

4.  No history of alcohol abuse or illegal drug abuse for 12 months prior to consult

Who we serve:  We proudly serve our veterans in the VISN1 territory, New England
 
Useful links:

Considering Surgery?
Qualifying/Planning for Surgery
Preparing for Surgery
Pharmacy and Medications After Surgery
Non-surgical weight loss options
Meet Our Patients
Helpful Websites