Long-term weight loss.
Struggling with obesity can feel overwhelming, but taking the first step toward a healthier future shouldn’t be. Weight loss surgery offers a proven solution for those who have struggled with traditional diet and exercise methods. With advancements in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures, patients can experience safer surgeries, reduced pain and faster recovery.
About Our Surgical Weight Loss Program
At Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Bariatric and Metabolic Institute we take a multi-disciplinary approach to weight loss surgery, emphasizing education, expert surgical care and ongoing post-operative support. From pre-operative evaluations to long-term follow-up care, our team—including board-certified bariatric surgeons, medical bariatricians, registered dietitians and bariatric coordinators—works closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans for lasting success.
Surgical Weight Loss Options at NGPG
Our Bariatrics team at NGPG specializes in advanced surgical weight loss procedures designed to help patients achieve long-term success. Our experienced team offers minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques that promote faster recovery and improved outcomes.
Our surgical weight loss options include:
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A procedure that reduces the stomach’s size to limit food intake while preserving normal digestion.
- Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: A surgery that creates a small gastric pouch and reroutes digestion to promote weight loss through both restriction and malabsorption.
- Revisional Bariatric Surgery: Corrective procedures for patients who have experienced complications or insufficient weight loss from previous bariatric surgeries.
- Reflux Surgery: Specialized procedures for bariatric patients who suffer from chronic acid reflux and are not candidates for traditional anti-reflux surgeries.
Each procedure is part of a comprehensive approach that includes education, pre-surgical preparation and long-term post-operative support to ensure lasting weight loss success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Candidates for bariatric surgery typically meet National Institute of Health (NIH) criteria, which include:
- Being 18 years or older (with rare exceptions).
- Having a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35–39 with obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea.
- The ability to understand the procedure, surgical risks and the lifelong commitment to post-surgical lifestyle changes.
Patients who may not be eligible for surgery include:
- Those with untreated major psychiatric disorders or active substance abuse issues.
- Patients deemed to have high operative risks.
- Individuals unable to commit to the required post-operative diet, behavioral changes and follow-ups.
- Women planning to become pregnant within 24 months of surgery.
Bariatric surgery is a tool, not a cure. It is a permanent and aggressive approach that requires commitment to long-term lifestyle changes.
Yes, we offer medically supervised weight loss programs for patients who are not candidates for surgery or prefer non-surgical options. These include:
- OPTIFAST® Meal Replacement Program.
- Medical Weight Loss Program guided by bariatric specialists.
- ORBERA™ Intragastric Balloon, a non-surgical procedure that helps patients lose weight with a temporary stomach balloon.
Weight loss surgery may be a good option if your goals include:
- Achieving long-term weight loss.
- Improving obesity-related health conditions.
- Enhancing your overall quality of life.
The NIH recognizes bariatric surgery as the only consistent approach to significant, long-term weight loss for those with severe obesity.
The cost of surgery depends on factors such as the facility, geographic location and medical history. Options to help cover costs include:
- Health Insurance: Many insurance plans cover weight loss surgery if specific medical criteria are met. Our team can help verify your coverage and guide you through the approval process.
- Self-Pay: For patients without insurance coverage, discounted rates may be available.
- Financing Options: Loan programs may be available to help make surgery more affordable.
surgery, patients follow a structured diet plan that gradually transitions from liquids to soft foods before introducing solid foods. The long-term diet focuses on:
- High-protein, nutrient-dense foods.
- Low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Proper hydration and portion control.
Our registered dietitians work with each patient to create a personalized nutrition plan for long-term success.
The efficacy of medical treatment alone has not proven to achieve significant long-term weight loss. In many studies, 95-97% of the general population will regain most or all the weight within 2-5 years after stopping treatment. Final average weight loss has been found to be relatively small approximately 10-40 pounds – usually not enough to achieve the improvement of all co-morbidities.
Weight loss results vary based on the procedure and individual factors. Long-term success depends on maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise and ongoing medical support. Each procedure has unique expectations, recovery times and outcomes. To learn more about what to expect, including preparation and recovery details, click here.
Yes. Bariatric surgery has been shown to significantly improve or even resolve obesity-related conditions such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Joint pain and mobility issues
Many patients experience a reduction or complete elimination of medications related to these conditions after surgery.
- Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy): Removes a portion of the stomach, reducing food intake while maintaining normal digestion.
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y): Creates a smaller stomach pouch and reroutes part of the digestive tract, limiting both food intake and calorie absorption.
Our team will help determine which procedure is best based on your medical history and weight loss goals.