Springfield, New Jersey – Z100 radio personality Elvis Duran joined the growing list of celebrities who’ve had weight loss surgery and New Jersey Bariatric Center^®’s weight loss surgery experts say they are not surprised he chose to have the Gastric Sleeve procedure, a bariatric procedure that like Gastric Bypass makes the stomach smaller surgically.

“The Gastric Sleeve, like the Gastric Bypass, works to control hunger hormones so patients who choose these procedures feel less hunger, which helps in controlling portion size and caloric intake,” said Dr. Ajay Goyal, founder of New Jersey Bariatric Center^® and Director of Bariatric Surgery at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. “Overall, patients who have Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass see greater weight loss than with conventional weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise alone.”

Other celebrities who have had weight loss surgery recently include celebrity chef Graham Elliot, who had gastric sleeve in 2013, comedian Rosie O’Donnell, who had gastric sleeve in 2013, and #RichKids of Beverly Hills reality show star EJ Johnson, son of Magic Johnson, who had a gastric sleeve in 2014. Other celebs who had Gastric Bypass include Sharon Osbourne, Randy Jackson and Al Roker.

Weight loss surgery alters the digestive tract to aid obese patients in losing weight. It is considered the most effective means of controlling weight and resolving co-morbid conditions in obese patients, according to the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.

Dr. Goyal said people who are considering bariatric surgery should gather information on all the procedures available and discuss the options with their doctor before deciding which surgery is right for them.

How the Gastric Sleeve Works

During the sleeve gastrectomy, a thin vertical sleeve about the size of a banana is created from the stomach using a stapling device. The rest of the stomach is removed. The newly shaped stomach can hold about a cup of food. The smaller stomach pouch limits the amount of food a person can eat at one time, leaving patients feeling fuller sooner and longer. The procedure also decreases levels of hunger hormones so they feel less hungry. Patients typically lose up to 65 percent of excess weight over an 18-month period. That means a patient who is 100 pounds overweight would lose about 65 lbs.

New Jersey Bariatric Center^® surgeon Dr. Glenn Forrester, who is also Director of Bariatric Surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, said bariatric surgery patients can maximize their weight loss by committing to healthy eating habits and exercising regularly.

“Once patients lose 40 or 50 pounds, many find that they are able to enjoy exercise in a way that they were unable to previously,” Dr. Forrester said. “By exercising more, patients have even greater weight loss success."

About New Jersey Bariatric Center^®

New Jersey Bariatric Center^®, a medical & surgical weight loss center with offices in Springfield, Somerset and Hoboken, New Jersey, helps patients achieve long-term weight loss success through the most advanced bariatric surgery procedures, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, LAP-BAND  and REALIZE Band procedures. Free monthly patient education seminars are held five times a month in Woodbridge, Summit, Springfield, Bridgewater and Secaucus, NJ, for individuals interested in learning more about weight loss surgery. To view dates or register for a seminar, visit our Free Seminar or call 908-481-1270.