Bariatric Surgery

Live happy, healthy, longer

Take back your health.

Get started with the best education, support, and care from our weight loss surgery program.

Attain a Better Quality of Life

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Cure Obesity Health Conditions

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Increase Your Longevity

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Lose Weight Effectively and Safely

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90%

of patients

achieve
substantial
weight loss

Substantial Weight Loss

Most bariatric surgery patients achieve at least 20% total and at least 50% excess weight loss within one or two years following surgery. Importantly, 60% of patients maintain the excess weight loss for at least 10 years. Also, 70% of patients maintain the total weight loss for at least 10 years.

Grover et al. study – showed 93% of patients achieved at least 50% excess weight loss within one or two years, and 61.8% maintained this through a 10-year a period. It also showed 97% of patients achieved at least 20% total weight loss within one or two years, and 70.3% of maintained this through a 10-year period. [1]

The study included 1,574 patients.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can help you lose a substantial amount of total and excess weight. It is also very effective for achieving long term results. It is important to remember that every individual is different and must control their own outcome. Bariatric surgery is only the beginning of the journey to a happy, healthy and longer life.

References:

Grover BT, Morell MC, Kothari SN, Borgert AJ, Kallies KJ, Baker MT. Defining Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: a Call for Standardization. Obes Surg. 2019 Nov;29(11):3493-3499. doi: 10.1007/s11695-019-04022-z. PMID: 31256357.

New Patients

Existing Patients

Online Seminar

We offer a free bariatric surgery seminar presented by John Ganser MD, FACS. Please register to learn more about:

Western Surgical's Bariatric Surgery Division - Western Bariactric Institute
The Obesity Epidemic
Weight Loss Surgery Options

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Attain a Better Quality of Life

Obesity damages our self esteem, relationships, careers, physical function, and sexual health leading to increased anxiety and depression. These effects change who we are and severely impact our quality of life.

Bariatric surgery patients report significant improvements in quality of life one year following surgery.

Dealing with obesity won’t fix problems from the past. Losing weight won’t mend broken relationships. These are issues you should be in good health to deal with. Bariatric surgery is the most effective way to begin healing.

It won’t be easy. It will be easier.

You can conquer life with a better state of mind.

Live Happy

Quality of Life Improvements

Reported increases in quality of life scores one year following surgery.

1.6x Self Esteem
2.8x Physical Activity
1.28x Social Life
3.1x Work Ability
4x Sexual Health

Quality of Life Improvements

Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve self-perceived quality of life one year following surgery.

Vegel et al. study – showed self-perceived improvements in various components of quality of life. [1]

The study included 209 patients. Patients in the study lost an average of 59% of excess body weight one year after surgery.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can improve self-perceived quality of life.

References:

Vegel AJ, Shah N, Lidor AO, Greenberg JA, Shan Y, Wang X, Funk LM. Patient-reported quality of life after bariatric surgery: a single institution analysis. J Surg Res. 2017 Oct;218:117-123. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.05.068. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID: 28985837; PMCID: PMC6919965.

Cure Obesity Health Conditions

Obesity causes new medical conditions and aggravates existing ones.

Bariatric surgery cures or improves obesity related health conditions.

Including:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Sleep apnea
Cholesterol abnormalities
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Fatty liver disease
Venous stasis
Urinary stress incontinence

You can cure or improve obesity related conditions.

Live Healthy

Diabetes

86% of patients achieve remission

Heart Health

High blood pressure resolves in 62% of patients and resolves or improves in 78%

70% of patients improve hyperlipidemia

Reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular events

Sleep Apnea

86% of patients achieve remission

Type-II Diabetes – up to 86% of patients achieve remission

Bariatric surgery can resolve diabetes. Recent studies show remission rates up to 86%.

Buchwald et al. study – showed diabetes resolved in 77% of patients. [1]

The study included 22,094 patients. It included patients who received gastric banding, which is no longer recommend.

McTigue at al. study – showed diabetes can resolve in up to 86% of patients after 5 years. [2]

The study included 9,710 patients. Importantly the study only included the currently recommended Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can cure type 2 diabetes in the majority of patients.

References:

Heart Health Improvements

Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve hyperlipidemia and resolve or improve high blood pressure while reducing the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, and cardiovascular events.

Buchwald et al. study – showed hyperlipidemia improved in 70% of patients. High blood pressure resolved in 62% of patients and resolved or improved in 78%. [1]

The study included 22,094 patients. This study included patients who received gastric banding, which is no longer recommend.

Kwok et al. study – showed a reduced risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular events. It also showed more than a 50% reduction in mortality. [2]

The study included 29,208 bariatric surgery patients and 166,200 nonsurgical patients.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can improve many aspect of cardiovascular health.

References:

Sleep Apnea – 86% achieve remmision

Bariatric surgery has been shown to resolve or improve sleep apnea.

Buchwald et al. study – showed sleep apnea resolved in 86% of patients and resolved or improved in 84%. [1]

The study included 22,094 patients. This study included patients who received gastric banding, which is no longer recommend.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can cure sleep apnea in the majority of patients.

References:

Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292(14):1724–1737. doi:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724

Increase Your Longevity

Bariactric surgery patients live longer versus patients who do not have surgery.

Mortality decreases up to 89%

These are incredible life saving results.

If weight loss diets and exercise have not produced lasting results, don’t worry this is normal.

Obesity alters our metabolic state which makes it hard for our bodies to balance our weight. It is difficult to achieve lasting results without surgery.

You can gain the advantage against obesity.

Live Longer

Diabetes

92% reduction in deaths

Cancer

60% reduction in deaths

Heart Disease

56% reduction in deaths

Mortality decreases up to 89%

Bariatric surgery was shown to decrease mortality by 40% and 89% over various follow-up periods.

Adams et al. showed a 40% decrease in mortality. [1]

The study matched 7,925 surgical patients and 7,925 severely obese patients. With a mean follow-up of 7.1 years, mortality decreased by 40%.

Christou et al. showed a 89% decrease in mortality. [2]

The study matched 1,035 surgical patients with 5,746 severely obese patients. With a mean follow-up of 2.6 years, mortality decreased by 89%.

What does this mean?

These studies show bariatric surgery impacts mortality to varying degrees. Most importantly, they show that bariatric surgery can reduce your chance of dying from obesity.

To learn more about the impacts of bariatric surgery on mortality, review the survival section in the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s position statement on the Long-Term Survival Benefit After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

References:

Diabetes – 92% reduction in deaths

Diabetes related deaths have been shown to decrease 92% in bariatric surgery patients.

Adams et al. study – showed a 92% decrease in deaths caused by diabetes. [1]

The study matched 7,925 surgical patients and 7,925 severely obese patients. With a mean follow-up of 7.1 years, all cause mortality decreased by 40%.

Deaths caused by diabetes decreased by 92%. Only 2 patients in the surgery group died vs 24 in the control group.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can reduce your chance of dying from diabetes.

References:

Adams TD, Gress RE, Smith SC, et al. Long-term mortality after gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med 2007;357(8):753–61.

Cancer – 60% reduction in deaths

Cancer related deaths have been shown to decrease 60% in bariatric surgery patients.

Adams et al. study – showed a 60% decrease in deaths caused by cancer. [1]

The study matched 7,925 surgical patients and 7,925 severely obese patients. With a mean follow-up of 7.1 years, all cause mortality decreased by 40%.

Deaths caused by cancer decreased by 60%. Only 42 patients in the surgery group died vs 102 in the control group.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can reduce your chance of dying from cancer.

References:

Adams TD, Gress RE, Smith SC, et al. Long-term mortality after gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med 2007;357(8):753–61.

Heart Disease – 56% reduction in deaths

Death caused by heart disease has been shown to decrease 56% in bariatric surgery patients.

Adams et al. study – showed a 56% decrease in deaths caused by heart disease. [1]

The study matched 7,925 surgical patients and 7,925 severely obese patients. With a mean follow-up of 7.1 years, all cause mortality decreased by 40%.

Death caused by heart disease decreased by 56%. Only 66 patients in the surgery group died vs 134 in the control group.

What does this mean?

Bariatric surgery can reduce your chance of dying from heart disease.

References:

Adams TD, Gress RE, Smith SC, et al. Long-term mortality after gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med 2007;357(8):753–61.

Lose Weight Effectively and Safely

Bariatric surgery is recognized as the most safe and effective treatment for obesity.

We offer minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic treatments. These treatments decrease surgical risks and improve recovery times. Treatment is performed at the hospital and usually only requires one night in the hospital.

All surgical procedures have risks. When reviewing these risks with a physician, it is important to consider:

The risks of obesity are greater than bariatric surgery

We will work diligently with you to explain the risks and provide a very safe experience.

Start Today

Results are better when obesity is treated early

Better surgical outcomes

Better weight loss

Better remission of obesity related health conditions

Results are better when obesity is treated early

Early treatment of obesity with bariatric surgery has been shown to improve surgical outcomes, improve weight loss and improve remission of related health conditions.

Varban et al. study – showed 36% of patients achieved a BMI of less than 30 at 1 year after bariatric surgery. Compared to only 8.5% of patients with a BMI greater than 50 achieving a BMI of less than 30 [1]

The study included 27,320 patients. Patients who achieved a BMI of less than 30 reported higher rates of medication discontinuation, higher rate of sleep apnea remission, and higher satisfaction rates.

Romero-Velez et al. study – showed BMI70+ was associated with increased mortality, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary, renal, and infectious complications. BMI70+ patients also had longer hospital stays and operative times. [2]

The study included a total of 163,413 patients, of which 2322 were BMI70+

What does this mean?

The earlier obesity is treated with bariatric surgery the better outcomes will be. When treatment is delayed the disease can continue to progress and reduce the chances of patients achieving the best results.

References:

Patient Stories

We proudly serve patients from Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley and many other surrounding communities.

Watch as these amazing patients adjust to their new lifestyles.

Before & After

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Our Bariactric Surgeons

Our surgeons have performed over 5,000 minimally invasive weight loss procedures and there is always a bariatric surgeon on-call. As one of the nation’s first Bariatric Centers of Excellence, and the first in Northern Nevada, you can be confident you are receiving education, support and care from one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.

Your care will also extend well beyond surgery, with an exclusive support group network and continuing online education through our news feed.

Learn more about our program.

John Ganser, MD, FACS

Lars Webb, MD, FACS

Our Staff

Our staff boasts nationally recognized clinicians, including the region’s only Doctor of Nursing Practice, specializing in bariatric care.

Mid Levels

Laurie McGinley, DNP, RN, APRN-BC, CNS-BC, CBN

Curtis Smith, PA-C

Christopher Hall, MSN, APRN-BC

Patient Advocates

Mason Hermosillo, Patient Advocate

775-789-9190

Adam Lett, Patient Advocate

775-789-9199

Karina Ramirez, Patient Advocate

775-326-9172

What We Treat

Morbid Obesity

Obesity is emerging as a health epidemic around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is rapidly spreading across all regions and demographic groups. An estimated 106 million adults in the United States are obese, and 182 million are obese or overweight. What is Obesity? The dictionary definition of obesity is ...

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Treatments

Gastric Bypass

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been the gold standard for surgical weight loss for many years in the United States. In 1991, the National Institutes of Health first recommended Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for patients who had a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 35 and 39.9 and suffered from any obesity-related health condition, or people ...

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Sleeve Gastrectomy

The sleeve gastrectomy – often called the sleeve or gastric sleeve – is a weight loss surgery performed by removing approximately 80 percent of the stomach through small incisions. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana. The Procedure The sleeve gastrectomy is performed using a minimally invasive technique, with several small ...

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