Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery at Anna Jaques Hospital

If you’ve struggled with obesity, you’re not alone. More than 40% of U.S. adults are considered obese. Often, people dealing with weight challenges try many different diets. Yet, they still haven’t achieved their weight loss goals.

The bariatric surgery program at Anna Jaques Hospital may help you successfully take off those extra pounds — and keep them off. The program includes weight-loss surgery performed at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington. But it allows you to receive medical tests and care before and after your operation, closer to home, at Anna Jaques in Newburyport.

For people who are severely overweight, bariatric surgery has been proven to have the highest success rate of any weight loss method. It may prevent or improve weight-related health problems, such as diabetes, fatty liver disease and obstructive sleep apnea. It may also help you live a more active lifestyle.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Weight Management

Surgery is a key component of bariatric treatment. But our weight loss program takes a comprehensive approach to weight management. In addition to surgery, we offer specialized care at all stages of your weight-loss journey. It’s designed to help you successfully reach a healthier weight and feel your best.

This care includes:

• Access to Anna Jaques doctors who treat obesity-related illnesses, including those who specialize in endocrinology, lung and respiratory health and heart health
• Emotional support to help with behavior changes, such as classes to address mindful eating behaviors or stress eating triggers
• Group wellness classes
• Lifelong follow-up with our weight loss team
• Medically supervised weight loss with a bariatrician, a doctor who specializes in medical weight loss and who can help you with diet and nutrition, exercise, lifestyle choices and, when appropriate, medications
• Monthly virtual weight loss support groups with others who are planning to have, or have had, bariatric surgery
• Online cooking classes

Who is Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery?

To be eligible for weight loss surgery, you must meet specific criteria. We established our criteria based on guidelines set by the National Institutes of Health.

Most patients in our program:

• Are 18 years old or older
• Are committed to lifelong follow-up and lifestyle changes that can improve health
• Have a BMI of 35 or more with one or more obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnea
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or are at least 100 pounds overweight
• Have been overweight for more than five years

Getting Started

The first step in weight loss surgery is to register for our free, informational video. You can view it online at home. If you decide surgery might be right for you after watching the video, we’ll schedule a virtual consultation. There, you’ll meet with members of our bariatric surgery team. These team members include a nurse practitioner, dietitian and behavioral health specialist. They’ll review your medical history and decide if you’re a good surgical candidate.

You may wish to ask certain questions, such as:

• Am I eligible for weight loss surgery?
• How do the results of weight loss surgery compare to other weight loss options?
• What types of weight loss surgery do you perform?
• How do the procedures work?
• What health dangers do I face if I don’t lose weight?
• What are the benefits of surgery?

Next Steps if Surgery is Right for You

If you’re a good candidate for surgery and you decide to move forward, you must undergo several tests. We can do most of these tests at Anna Jaques. You will also meet with a bariatric surgeon here. Our team will guide you through the process and give you tools to help you get ready for surgery and successfully lose weight.