Our favorite success story is you 

Northwestern Medicine Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program

We know everyone's weight loss journey is different, so we'll make your goals, our goals. 

If you’ve made the decision to lose weight, the team of experts of the Northwestern Medicine Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital can help. We don’t believe in quick fixes or “one-program-fits-all.” Our team of weight loss professionals will design a program to fit you, not the other way around. Whether you choose one of a variety of surgical procedures or a non-surgical plan such as meal replacement, we’ll find your path to better, together.

Obesity poses multiple health risks. Defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more, it can lead to chronic disability, poor quality of life and even premature death. Obesity is also associated with severe medical conditions such as degenerative joint disease, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, stroke, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even certain cancers. 

It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

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Northwestern Medicine offers world-class care in your neighborhood, including nationally and locally ranked hospitals.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital

Non-surgical Options

The New Direction^® Program

One of the most effective non-surgical treatment options is the New Direction program, a comprehensive weight management system that has helped people lose weight and embrace healthy habits for more than 30 years.

New Direction offers two comprehensive weight management systems. Both involve a three-step program that starts with rapid weight loss using New Direction nutritional products, then transitions you to shopping and cooking for yourself within prescribed guidelines and finally works with you to maintain your weight loss and sustain your new, healthy behaviors.

Medical weight management

Our Medical Weight Management program begins with an initial assessment by a board-certified physician and a registered dietitian to determine any underlying factors contributing to weight gain or an inability to lose weight. The program combines treatment, education, behavior modification, ongoing motivation and routine follow up to help you reach your weight loss and fitness goals. Additional sessions with our psychologist and exercise specialist are also incorporated as needed.

The Orbera system

The Orbera system is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that includes a twelve-month program with a dietitian-directed diet and exercise specialist-guided exercise regimen. The surgeon places a deflated balloon in your stomach using an endoscope. It is then filled with saline. The balloon works by taking up space in your stomach to help you feel full. There are no incisions and no scars, and the balloon is temporary. It remains in place for 6 months, during which time you will be supervised by your weight loss team. Following the removal of the balloon, you will work with your weight loss team for an additional six months to help establish a new healthier lifestyle. 

Surgical Options

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

The most common gastric bypass surgery, Roux-en-Y, helps patients lose weight by restricting the amount of food eaten and reducing the number of calories the body absorbs. The procedure, which often can be performed through tiny incisions (laparoscopically), involves making the stomach smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of it using surgical staples. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND^®) Surgery

Using a silicone band placed around the top portion of the stomach, LAP-BAND^® surgery works by restricting the amount of food entering the stomach. One of the advantages of this method is its ability to be customized to each patient. The diameter of the band can be adjusted post-surgically so the rate of weight loss suits your needs. Unlike bypass surgery and other bariatric procedures, LAP-BAND^® is also reversible. LAP-BAND^® surgery is performed using the minimally invasive laparoscopic method, which requires less recovery time and creates minimal scarring. 

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy helps you lose weight by reducing the amount of food you can eat. The procedure, which makes your stomach smaller, has helped many patients lose weight and improve their health. During the procedure, the stomach is reduced to a thin vertical sleeve that holds an amount of food about the size of a banana. A portion of the stomach is removed and the remaining sleeve is stapled together. The procedure is permanent once the stomach has been reduced.

Northwestern Medicine offers world-class care in your neighborhood, including nationally and locally ranked hospitals.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital