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How Bariatric Surgery Can Help With Obesity.

Obesity is more than just the struggle of losing weight. It can also lead to potentially life-threatening health problems, such as sleep apnea, liver disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

In such cases, bariatric surgery presents effective treatments to reduce the risks associated with severe obesity.

Generally, bariatric surgery procedures cause long term significant weight loss, improved cardiovascular risk factors, recovery from diabetes, and a mortality reduction from 40% to 23%(1).

At the Khalili Center, we offer a wide array of weight loss procedures, such as lap band over bypass, administered by the best and most experienced bariatric surgeons in Southern California.

Our center is run by a pioneer in bariatric surgery and treatment, Dr. Theodore Khalili. He has performed over 8,783 bariatric and advanced laparoscopic surgeries, including the United States’ first robot-assisted gastric bypass surgery. The Khalili Center also serves patients from all over Los Angeles county and surrounding areas, including Santa Monica, Torrance, Burbank, Pasadena, and other areas in Los Angeles county.  The Khalili Center is a center known for its expertise in specific surgical procedures and exceptional patient care. Even medical professionals suffering from obesity come to us for their surgery.

Watch our clients share how their lives have been transformed by these surgeries at the Khalili Center.

 

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Types of Bariatric Surgery.

Find the right treatment for your needs

Bariatric surgery involves various procedures to restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold and help obese patients lose excess weight.

The Khalili Center guarantees patients to be well-informed about their weight loss surgery options, their benefits, and risks.

We provide different types of weight loss surgery. They include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, LAP-BAND® surgery and revisional procedures.

During a consultation, your surgeon will review your surgical options with you to determine the most appropriate procedure for your condition.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

This surgery involves a procedure called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, where the stomach and the small intestine are rearranged to modify how these organs absorb and digest food. Gastric bypass causes malabsorption of nutrients and a decrease in the absorption of calories. This operation also restricts the amount of food you are able to eat.

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Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It is a laparoscopic procedure that involves the removal of about 80% of the stomach. Surgeons create a tube-like pouch or gastric sleeve that empties food off the bottom of the stomach and into the small intestine.

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LAP-BAND® Surgery

The lap band surgery involves placing an adjustable gastric banding device around the top portion of the stomach. The lap band creates a two-compartment stomach, resulting in a patient eating enough food to fill the stomach’s top part.

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Revisional Procedures

Weight loss surgeries are generally successful, but some procedures require occasional revision due to device-related problems or unsatisfactory weight loss.

Some patients may suffer from heartburn after sleeve gastrectomy. Outdated and restrictive procedures, such as stapled gastroplasty, may also result in anatomic and nutritional complications.

In these cases, you would need an experienced bariatric surgeon to perform these revisional procedures.

The founder of the Khalili Center, Dr. Khalili, is one of the leading authorities on revision weight loss surgery in the U.S.

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Fact: About 40% of Americans Struggle with Obesity.

Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects approximately 40% of the population in the United States and is becoming increasingly common in other parts of the world. Despite the far-reaching problem of obesity – it’s often misunderstood and mismanaged.

We’re here to help

Choosing the Best Bariatric Surgeon.

It is important to choose a highly trained bariatric surgeon to help you take the right steps toward your weight loss goals.

The Khalili Center’s founder, Dr. Khalili has proven his expertise after performing thousands of bariatric surgeries. He has also contributed substantial research on surgical procedures and technologies to the medical community.

With his vast experience in weight loss surgeries, Dr. Khalili has trained several surgeons who have led bariatric programs all over the country.

He was also part of the team that launched the Khalili Center’s weight loss surgery program.

Along with Dr. Khalili are other experienced surgeons on bariatric surgery, minimally-invasive surgery, robotics surgery, and general surgery.

Discover more about our team of medical professionals here committed to offering you the most comprehensive care possible.

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My name is Dr. Theodore Khalili, surgeon and founder of Weight Loss Surgery of Southern California. I founded the Center because I have dedicated my life-long professional work to patient care. My approach to patient-centric partnerships and service-oriented facilities offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to bariatric treatment – all in one place.

I believe that patient care does not end right after surgery – it’s only the beginning. I founded the Center to give patients access to a supportive community that guides them through each step of the weight loss journey. We work with a team of registered dieticians, psychologists and general doctors to create tailored, best-in-class care available.

I have performed over 8,000 bariatric surgeries…

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Dr. Theodore M. Khalili,
Founder and Director
Khalili Center for Bariatric Care


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Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?

The Khalili Center makes sure that you get a comprehensive assessment to know if you are the right candidate for bariatric surgery. We help you determine which procedure is the safest and most appropriate for you.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recommend bariatric surgery for the following(3):

  1. Obese people with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40
  2. People with a BMI of at least 35 and serious coexisting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, or heart disease
  3. People unable to achieve long-term weight loss, despite efforts in dieting and exercise

The NIH and ASMBS also recommend a board-certified surgeon with specialized bariatric surgery experience to perform the procedure.

At the Khalili Center, we are a multi-disciplinary team of experts highly trained in bariatric surgery. Our doctors have successfully performed over 5,000 surgical weight loss procedures.

How Bariatric Surgery Works.

We perform surgeries using minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery). Generally, laparoscopic surgery results in less pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and faster return to work(4).

A laparoscope, an instrument with a camera attached, is inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. It allows surgeons to view and operate inside your abdomen without making the traditional large incisions.

However, bariatric surgery may not be suitable for everyone. If a traditional open surgery needs to be done, you can rest assured that an experienced surgeon of the Khalili Center will safely handle the procedure.

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Preparing for Bariatric Surgery.

If you qualify for bariatric surgery, your health care team will give you instructions on preparing for your specific procedure.

The Khalili Center ensures that you get a proper preoperative preparation to make sure that the surgery goes smoothly.

You may need to undergo various laboratory tests before the surgery. You may also have restrictions on eating, drinking, and which medications to take.

We ask our clients to check with their insurance providers if they can cover the tests’ costs. Your surgeon then will conduct a series of consultations and diagnostic examinations to prepare you for the surgery.

Post-surgery Expectations.

After your bariatric surgery, you must refrain from eating solid food for one to two days to allow your stomach and digestive system to heal.

Most patients at the Khalili Center experience a smooth recovery time. However, we recommend follow-up consultations with your assigned doctor if you observe any postoperative complications.

Frequent medical checkups, blood work, and weight management sessions are also required in the first several months after the surgery.

Approximately 50% of patients may regain a small amount of weight two years or more after surgery(5). However, it is well-documented that most bariatric surgery patients maintain successful long-term weight loss.

We encourage lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods and staying active, to maintain a healthy body weight and improve your quality of life.

Recovering From Bariatric Surgery.

At the Khalili Center, your weight loss journey does not end after the surgery. We offer a unique care support program tailored to your needs.

This holistic and fully-integrated program consists of follow-up consultations, ongoing education (in-person and online), fitness, nutrition, support, and community activities.

Our unique care support begins with a private nutrition counseling session with our registered dietitian. Meanwhile, our psychologist offers a private psychological counseling session to prepare patients for life after weight loss surgery.

We also encourage our patients to attend our support groups to learn from other weight loss surgery patients. To keep them active, we have planned several special events throughout the year.

The Khalili Center believes that support is imperative to the success of our bariatric patients. We have designed these programs to keep you on a long-term path to wellness.

The Best Lap Band (Band Over) Bypass and Gastric Sleeve Surgeon in Burbank, Arcadia, Glendale, Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. 

Contact us to know more including weight loss surgery cost and financing.

FAQs

What are the Risks of Undergoing Bariatric Surgery?

Although bariatric surgery is generally safe for weight loss, it can have side effects. Risks associated with this surgical procedure include:

  • Adverse reactions to anesthesia
  • Blood clots
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Infection
  • Leaks in your gastrointestinal system
  • Lung or breathing problems

Long-term risks and complications can also occur, depending on the type of surgery. These can include:

  • Bowel obstruction
  • Dumping syndrome, which leads to nausea, vomiting, flushing, lightheadedness, or diarrhea
  • Gallstones
  • Hernias
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Ulcers
  • Acid reflux (GERD)[l][m]
Does Insurance Cover Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is often covered by insurance. Several insurance companies cover the procedure costs if your BMI is 35 or above.

To find out if your insurance policy provides coverage, the Khalili Center offers free insurance verification.

How Quickly Can I Get Bariatric Surgery?

The Khalili Center understands the urgency of your condition. Before undergoing any procedure, we ensure that you get a comprehensive evaluation from one of our experienced bariatric surgeons to determine the best approach to your situation.

Our customer and medical care team are ready to assist you with any inquiries and health information you may need.

Call us at 310-246-9083 and experience the Khalili difference today.

References

  1. Robinson, MK. (July 2009). “Editorial: Surgical treatment of obesity—weighing the facts”. The New England Journal of Medicine. 361 (5): 520–1. doi:10.1056/NEJMe0904837. PMID 19641209
  2. The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System Summary of Safety and  Effectiveness Data. (2001, June 5). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf/P000008b.pdf
  3. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS.org). (Accessed 2020). Who is a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery? Retrieved from: https://asmbs.org/patients/who-is-a-candidate-for-bariatric-surgery
  4. Velanovich, V. (2000). Laparoscopic vs open surgery. Surgical endoscopy, 14(1), 16-21.
  5. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS.org). (Accessed 2020). Bariatric Surgery Misconceptions. Retrieved from: https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-misconceptions

Your Journey to Overcoming Obesity Starts Here.

Weight loss surgery is a tool to reset your life.

Our comprehensive program is everything you need to set you up for your new life and to keep the weight off. All you have to to find out if we’re right for you is to book an appointment.