
Q&A
Bariatric Surgeon
What can bariatric surgery do for me?
Weight loss surgery can jumpstart a life that’s healthier. It can improve your relationship, self-esteem, job performance, health, and happiness and can extend your time on Earth. Losing excess weight through weight-loss surgery is about starting a healthier, safer, more fulfilling life. For most patients, it also mean saying “good-bye” to obesity-related conditions such as sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, depression, degenerative joint disease, and more. For years, these conditions have negatively affected and limited their lives and lowered their life expectancy.
What are my options when considering weight-loss surgery?
Every day around this country, bariatric doctors are having amazing success initiating safe weight loss with the help of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, duodenal switch, intragastric balloons (IGB), endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), and revision surgeries robotic. At Surgical Associates of Mansfield, we perform these procedures with the help of a state-of-the-art da Vinci robotic surgical system which allows these life-saving surgeries to be performed with very small incisions, fewer wound complications, less pain, faster and easier recovery, and superior outcomes.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for one of these procedures?
Some of the things we’ll consider during your initial consultation is whether you are at an unhealthy weight for your height and age. We’ll talk to you about other things you’ve tried unsuccessfully such as diets, workouts, and medications. Statistically, diets, pills, shakes, and fad diets have only a 5% success rate. The rate of success for bariatric surgery is routinely 90%. An experienced bariatric surgery will consider your age, weight-loss goals, and any other medical problems before recommending a weight-loss procedure for you.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
That will depend on your weight-loss goal and how willing you are to partner with us and make the lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight safely—and keep it off. While each patient is unique, our bariatric patients lose on average between 35 and100 pounds. And more importantly, most maintain their weight loss.
Are there risks to weight-loss surgery?
There are risks with any surgery. But the risks of living with obesity are far greater. The most important thing is to have a skilled and reputable surgeon with multiple weight-loss surgeries under their belt who can successfully address any risks that may arise in a healthy and safe way. (Very rarely do complications arise.)
I’m pregnant. Do I need to wait until after the baby is born to have weight-loss surgery?
Obesity-related problems during pregnancy are many and include gestational diabetes, blood pressure disorders, newborns who are large for their gestational ages, postpartum hemorrhage, and cesarean delivery. Research suggests that weight-loss surgery before pregnancy can lower these and other health risks to women and their babies. It is, however, recommended that you wait two years after bariatric surgery to become pregnant. Your OB-Gyn should perform nutritional deficiency testing before conception to determine your individual need for supplements, as well as monthly tests during pregnancy. But many women deliver healthy babies after bariatric surgery.
Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. This practice is owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group. The physicians and staff who provide services at this site are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your physician or other health care provider regarding any medical conditions or decisions about medical care.
About The Expert

Andrew Standerwick
Surgical Associates of Mansfield
Dr. Standerwick specializes in weight-loss surgeries, but also performs procedures involving the abdomen and related organs with a particular interest in hiatal hernias, inguinal hernias, and anti-reflux surgery.
About The Expert

Jeremy Parcells
Surgical Associates of Mansfield
Dr. Parcells has performed hundreds of successful bariatric surgeries as well as hernia, gallbladder, anti-reflux, colorectal, bariatric surgery, and complex laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.