Bariatric Surgery

Learn about a minimally invasive option for bariatric surgery. Common bariatric procedures include gastric bypass surgery (roux-enY gastric bypass or RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve.

Dr. Curtis Peery and patients share their experiences with robotic gastric bypass surgery.

Testimonial video featuring Dr. Curtis Peery and his patients, Ragean and Lisa, discussing their robotic bariatric procedure experiences using the da Vinci surgical system.

Aug 24, 2021 | 00:07:24

Dr. Curtis Peery and patients share their experiences with robotic gastric bypass surgery.

Testimonial video featuring Dr. Curtis Peery and his patients, Ragean and Lisa, discussing their robotic bariatric procedure experiences using the da Vinci surgical system.

Aug 24, 2021 | 00:07:24
EndoWrist instrument dexterity

This video demonstrates the dexterity of da Vinci EndoWrist surgical instruments.

Jun 17, 2019 | 00:00:58

Aim for a lasting change

If obesity is taking a toll on your health and well-being, and diet, exercise, and medicine haven’t helped, it may be time to consider surgery. From 2011 through 2019, more than 1.8 million people in the U.S. chose to have bariatric surgery as a part of their weight-loss journeys.^1,2 Most underwent sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass.¹

On this page you’ll find an overview of weight-loss options, information on minimally invasive bariatric surgery, questions you can ask your doctor, and how to find a surgeon who performs bariatric surgery with the da Vinci system.

Understanding your options

There are many ways to lose weight that you can explore with your doctor, such as diet, exercise, medication, and surgery. If you’re considering bariatric surgery, your surgeon should discuss your options with you. Surgery alone is not enough. You must follow the recommendations from your healthcare team after surgery for you to make a lasting change.

Diagram showing how gastric sleeve surgery works

Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve surgery, reduces your stomach size by about 80 percent to limit the amount of food it can hold. You may lose weight because you can only eat small amounts of food. Sleeve gastrectomy may result in changes in stomach hormones to reduce appetite and increase fullness. ²

Diagram showing how RYGB or gastric bypass surgery works

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), or gastric bypass, reduces your stomach size while also rerouting your small intestine to decrease food absorption. You may lose weight by eating less and absorbing fewer calories. By changing the amount your stomach can hold and the way food passes through your body, gastric bypass decreases hunger, increases fullness, and changes hormones that may affect your metabolism and weight.^2,3

Minimally invasive bariatric surgery

Surgeons commonly perform bariatric surgery through a few small incisions using minimally invasive techniques—either laparoscopic or robotic.² To perform laparoscopic bariatric surgery, surgeons use special long-handled tools while viewing magnified images from the laparoscope (camera) on a video screen. Robotic bariatric surgery is described below.

Surgeon's hands navigating the system controls

Both sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgeries can be performed with robotic-assisted surgery using da Vinci technology. With the da Vinci system, your surgeon sits at a console near you in the operating room. Through the console, the surgeon controls a camera and the tiny instruments used to perform your surgery through a few incisions about the size of your fingertip.

The system delivers 3D high-definition views, giving your surgeon a crystal-clear view of the surgical area magnified 10 times what the human eye sees. It translates every movement your surgeon makes in real time, bending and rotating instruments that move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. Built-in tremor filtration technology helps your surgeon move each instrument with smooth precision.

Curtis Peery, MD

Dr. Peery has been performing surgery with the da Vinci system since 2004.

“Robotics is just a tool that enhances my ability to do those really sophisticated maneuvers because I have more capability. It doesn't mean the system is doing it for me. It doesn't make anything automated. But I'm able to use my skills that I was trained for extensively in the way I need to.”

Ask your surgeon about robotic surgery outcomes

Every surgeon's experience is different. Be sure to talk with your surgeon about the surgical outcomes they deliver using the da Vinci system. For example, ask about:

Length of hospital stay
Complication rate
Rate of returning to the hospital within 30 days of surgery
Reoperation rate
Transfusion and/or blood loss
Chance of changing to an open procedure
Length of operation
Mortality rate

There are additional surgical outcomes you may want to talk about with your doctor. Please ask to discuss all important outcomes. Every surgery involves risk and you can read more about those associated with bariatric surgery.

It’s important to remember that Intuitive does not provide medical advice. After discussing all options, only you and your doctor can determine whether surgery with da Vinci is appropriate for your situation. You should always ask about your surgeon’s training, experience, and patient outcomes.

Additional resources

Da Vinci system overview

Learn more about da Vinci system technology and more about robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery.

Learn more

What to expect

Explore what happens on the day of surgery with the da Vinci system and tips for planning and preparation.

Learn more

Bariatric surgery brochure

Get further detail about bariatric surgery options in our brochure designed for patients and their families.

Download

Types of surgery with da Vinci systems

General surgeons perform robotic surgery using da Vinci systems in many types of procedures.

Learn more

Estimate of Bariatric Surgery Numbers, 2011-2019. American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Web. 21 July 2021
Bariatric Surgery Procedures. American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Web. 21 July 2021
Types of Weight-loss Surgery. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Web. 4 August 2021

Disclosures and important safety information

Surgical risks

Risks associated with bowel resection and other colorectal procedures (removal of all/part of the intestine) include leaking and/or narrowing at the spot where two sections of bowel were reconnected, colorectal or anal dysfunction (cannot empty bowel, frequent bowel movements, leakage or constipation).

Important safety information

Patients should talk to their doctor to decide if da Vinci surgery is right for them. Patients and doctors should review all available information on non-surgical and surgical options and associated risks in order to make an informed decision.

Serious complications may occur in any surgery, including da Vinci surgery, up to and including death. Serious risks include, but are not limited to, injury to tissues and organs and conversion to other surgical techniques which could result in a longer operative time and/or increased complications. For Important Safety Information, including surgical risks, indications, and considerations and contraindications for use, please also refer to www.intuitive.com/safety.

Individuals' outcomes may depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to patient characteristics, disease characteristics and/or surgeon experience.

Da Vinci Xi system precaution statement

The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the specific procedure(s) discussed in this material was based on evaluation of the device as a surgical tool and did not include evaluation of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence) or treatment of the patient’s underlying disease/condition. Device usage in all surgical procedures should be guided by the clinical judgment of an adequately trained surgeon.

Medical advice and locating a doctor

Patients should talk to their doctor to decide if da Vinci surgery is right for them. Other options may be available and appropriate. Only a doctor can determine whether da Vinci surgery is appropriate for a patient’s situation. Patients and doctors should review all available information on both non-surgical and surgical options in order to make an informed decision.

Surgeons who perform surgery using the da Vinci system can be found using the Surgeon Locator. Intuitive Surgical provides surgeons with training on the use of the da Vinci system but does not certify, credential or qualify the surgeons listed in the Surgeon Locator.

Published evidence

In order to provide benefit and risk information, Intuitive Surgical reviews the highest available level of evidence on procedures named above. Intuitive Surgical strives to provide a complete, fair and balanced view of the clinical literature. However, our materials should not be seen as a substitute for a comprehensive literature review for inclusion of all potential outcomes. We encourage patients and physicians to review the original publications and all available literature in order to make an informed decision. Clinical studies are typically available at pubmed.gov.

Product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical or their respective owners. See www.intuitive.com/trademarks.