When you think about weight loss, you might also think about some factors that stand in the way of you reaching your goals. Additionally, as individuals gain weight, their risk factors for developing obesity-related diseases increase.
If you have struggled to lose weight and seek advanced weight loss options, you could be a candidate for bariatric surgery.
At Cernero Surgery & Aesthetics, led by Dr. Aaron Cernero, you can discover effective weight loss methods that improve your quality of life. Dr. Cernero is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery and helps patients by offering surgical weight loss near Dallas.
Let’s look at our weight loss surgeries: sleeve gastrectomy and panniculectomy. You can also jump ahead to discover our process and how we approach your care at our surgical center.
Why Trust Dr. Cernero With Your Procedures
When it comes to the intricacies of weight loss surgery, choosing a trusted, qualified provider helps you enter the procedure with confidence. Dr. Cernero, in addition to his degrees and residencies, holds a board certification in general surgery. He offers care with expertise and empathy, and he helps you feel comfortable and valued at every stage of your weight loss journey.
With Dr. Cernero leading your care, you can experience empowerment for better health. He remains inspired by his patients’ resilience and strength as they undergo transformations.
Take a look at what one of our patients had to say after her experience at Cernero Surgery & Aesthetics:
“Always a pleasant visit when seeing Dr. Cernero and his staff. They are always so caring and helpful and make sure you understand everything to the fullest. They treat you like family. Always recommend Dr. Cernero and his staff to anyone needing their care.”
– Julie McMillan
Understanding Surgical Weight Loss
Near Dallas, Dr. Cernero helps patients reach long-term weight reduction and improved health through bariatric surgery. These surgeries differ in intent from cosmetic surgeries, as they benefit your long-term health and are not solely focused on enhancing your appearance.
Bariatric surgery usually comes after people with obesity have tried other weight loss methods, but have not found success.
When a patient undergoes weight loss surgery, Dr. Cernero might modify their digestive system, which influences how much they can consume. This process leads to weight loss, treating and preventing many weight-related diseases and conditions.
At his practice, Dr. Cernero performs sleeve gastrectomies to alter the size of the stomach and help patients lose weight.
Related Topic: Learn More About Plastic Surgery Near Dallas
The Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure Overview
As the most commonly performed bariatric surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy, also known as a gastric sleeve surgery, reduces the size of your stomach up to 75%. The procedure takes around an hour and a half, as it’s a relatively short surgery.
Our team places you under general anesthesia for the procedure. Dr. Cernero makes a small incision in your abdomen, where he inserts a small camera and a tube that emits carbon dioxide, which expands the abdomen. He performs the procedure laparoscopically, navigating the surgery through a small camera, visualizing the surgical field on a monitor.
Using advanced techniques, he meticulously removes part of your stomach, leaving behind a tubular “sleeve.” He then safely and precisely closes the incisions.
Benefits of a Sleeve Gastrectomy
A reduction in stomach size limits the amount of food an individual can consume, which helps them feel fuller faster. Removing a significant portion of the stomach also reduces the amount of the hunger hormone (ghrelin) that their bodies produce.
Lower ghrelin levels result in fewer cravings and a reduced appetite. This means patients experience fewer food-related impulses, making weight loss easier.
Who Is a Sleeve Gastrectomy For?
When considering a patient’s candidacy for a sleeve gastrectomy, Dr. Cernero takes several factors into consideration. To qualify for surgical weight loss near Dallas using the gastric sleeve, patients have to meet a few requirements.
Body Mass Index
Patients must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. He can also provide sleeve gastrectomies for patients who have a BMI of at least 35 and experience a weight-related condition.
Weight-related conditions might include:
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
- High blood pressure and hypertensive heart disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Unsuccessful Weight Loss Efforts
Individuals can qualify for a sleeve gastrectomy if they have been unsuccessful in losing weight through nonsurgical methods. Due to weight-related conditions, many patients have difficulties losing weight or sustaining the weight loss.
Prepared for Surgery and Recovery
Bariatric surgery comes with risks, benefits, and lifestyle changes. As you meet with Dr. Cernero, he thoroughly explains what the procedure requires and allows you to make informed decisions about your health.
The gastric sleeve surgery is permanent, so we confirm that you feel fully committed and prepared for the surgery and associated effects before moving forward.
The Panniculectomy Procedure Overview
For many patients, another next step in their surgical weight loss near Dallas is a panniculectomy. Often referred to as excess skin removal, Dr. Cernero removes excess skin from the lower abdomen, typically resulting from significant weight loss.
The procedure takes around 3 hours, as Dr. Cernero eliminates hanging or sagging skin from your lower belly (pannus). He makes an incision above the pubic area, where he pulls the skin downward to tighten as he removes it.
In addition to removing excess skin, he can remove stubborn pockets of fat and reconstruct the abdominal muscles if necessary.
Benefits of a Panniculectomy
With excess skin from a significant weight loss, individuals may begin to experience unpleasant symptoms. If the skin begins to fold over on itself, it creates an increased risk of sores and rashes.
You might also experience back pain and hindered movement, or the inability to perform physical activity.
When we remove excess skin with a panniculectomy, you are less likely to have skin problems, and you can move better without sagging skin.
Who Is a Panniculectomy for?
A good candidate for a panniculectomy is any individual who wishes to remove excess skin that hangs around the lower abdomen. While a panniculectomy isn’t a weight loss procedure, it helps those who experience extra skin after weight loss.
You might make a good candidate for a panniculectomy if you:
- Have excess tissue that hangs over your hips, pubic region, or thighs.
- Have reached a stable weight and are in good health.
- Don’t have conditions that affect how your body heals.
- Have realistic expectations about the procedure and recovery.
Our Process for Weight Loss Surgery
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from Dr. Cernero and our team when you choose us for surgical weight loss near Dallas.
Initial Consultation
First, you visit for an individualized consultation, where we get to know you and your goals for weight loss surgery. During this consultation, we speak in depth about our procedure options and confirm that you are in the best position to go through with surgery.
Additionally, Dr. Cernero informs you of all changes you must make before we can schedule the surgery.
Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery
Dr. Cernero takes your complete health and safety into consideration when creating your treatment plan. He discusses what clearances you need and orders labs and pre-surgery tests to confirm your candidacy.
For a sleeve gastrectomy, he instructs you on how to change your medication use and how to properly diet before your procedure. For the 2 weeks leading up to your gastric sleeve surgery, Dr. Cernero places you on a pre-planned diet that you must follow.
For a panniculectomy, we don’t require a diet prior to surgery, but following all preparation instructions from Dr. Cernero allows you to have a safe and efficient procedure.
Recovery From Surgical Weight Loss Surgery
When you recover from surgical weight loss near Dallas, Dr. Cernero provides you with detailed instructions for how to optimize healing. He provides care during your entire journey, including post-surgery attention and guidance if you have questions.
Recovery after a sleeve gastrectomy requires 2 to 4 weeks, during which you follow a liquid-only diet and should prioritize rest. For excess skin removal, you should expect 2 weeks of healing as you rest and recover.
Dr. Cernero helps address any questions and concerns you may have as you recover from weight loss surgery. You get assistance in navigating the healing process, which includes scheduled follow-up appointments and guidance through your recovery.
Here’s what our patient Sandra had to say about her journey with Cernero Surgery & Aesthetics:
“This was a great experience with Cernero Surgery. Office staff and Dr. are amazing!! They really care and walk you through every step of the process. They have amazing care after your surgery too. This is a journey and it started off really good.”
Request a Consultation to Explore Surgical Weight Loss
Near Dallas, Dr. Cernero helps patients who struggle with weight loss to achieve a healthier lifestyle. If you’ve tried losing weight but can’t seem to shed the pounds, you might make a candidate for weight loss surgery.
Request your appointment to speak with Dr. Cernero, a board-certified general surgeon, about your weight loss goals. He can assess your current health and weight loss efforts to determine if a gastric sleeve or excess skin removal can help you achieve your goals.
