Expert Bariatric Surgeon Serving Dallas & Plano

Dallas bariatrics and general surgery expert Dr. Preeti Malladi has helped hundreds of patients start a new, healthier life by overcoming obesity. Serving much of the DFW area from offices in Dallas and Plano, she is highly respected by her peers in the North Texas area and throughout the United States.

Dr. Malladi is a fellowship trained, board certified Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatrics Surgeons (FASMBS). As a member of the technology committee for the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, she continually strives to use technology to make surgery a safer experience for the patient.

Dr. Malladi received her education and medical training at prestigious medical institutions including UCLA, Stanford, Northwestern University, and Dallas’s UT Southwestern Medical School. Please consult Dr. Malladi’s biography page for more information.

Our Dallas Bariatrics Procedures

Gastric Sleeve

The sleeve gastrectomy is a highly popular procedure and is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in Dallas. In this minimally invasive surgical procedure, the stomach is made smaller in order to limit food intake and suppress hunger.

Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the second most commonly performed bariatric procedure. It is an excellent tool for combating obesity. In gastric bypass, a small pouch is created by stapling the upper part of the stomach. The smaller portion of the stomach is then attached directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large portion of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). In this minimally invasive surgical procedure, the stomach is made smaller to limit food intake and suppress hunger, and the intestines are modified to limit calorie absorption.

Gastric Band

This procedure historically was a commonly performed procedure but has been replaced in popularity with the sleeve gastrectomy. The issues with long-term outcomes have led to band removals and conversions to other weight loss operations.

Revision Surgery

Those who experience complications or who have inadequate results may be candidates for revision procedures. These procedures may also be called “conversion procedures.

Band-to-Sleeve:

In this procedure, the band, tubing, and port are removed and the stomach is converted to a gastric sleeve.

Band-to-Bypass:

Here, the gastric band, tubing, and port are removed and a gastric bypass is performed.

Sleeve-to-Bypass:

Certain patients who may have nausea or reflux after a sleeve procedure or inadequate weight loss may benefit from having their gastric sleeve treatment converted to a gastric bypass.

Other revision operations for gastric band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are also available. Please contact our Dallas bariatric surgery office to discuss your situation in more detail.

Hear from a Dallas Bariatric Surgery Patient

Bariatric Surgery FAQs

Obesity is a spectrum. Some patients need to lose a lot of weight and some patients need to lose just a few pounds. Bariatric surgery is meant for the person who needs to lose a lot of weight, and that depends on the body mass index (BMI). Surgery is generally considered when a patient has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.

Bariatric surgery is not just for weight loss or cosmetic reasons alone. Surgery may also be an option for a BMI of 35 or higher if the patient has obesity-related medical conditions such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, etc. Obesity can have a direct relationship with those medical conditions and bariatric surgery can help relieve and/or minimize them.

Recovery from minimally-invasive bariatric procedures is generally relatively brief in comparison to the longer recovery periods associated with open abdominal surgeries. Those who have gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedures typically spend 1 night in the hospital but they can stay longer if needed.

Every patient is different and total recovery time depends on many factors such as the type of surgical procedure, your personal energy level, types of activities you like, etc. Some find that they are able to go back to work as soon as 4-7 days after the procedure. Most find that they need to take 2-3 weeks away from work to rest and recover and focus on their nutrition and movement goals before they are able to fully resume work, exercise and other normal activities.

Every general surgery comes with risk, even with minimally invasive procedures from experienced bariatric surgeons. These include the risks associated with general anesthesia and any risk that might be encountered with any procedure such as infection, blood clots, etc. Risks specific to bariatric weight loss treatments include dumping syndrome, nausea, vomiting, dilation of the esophagus, acid reflux and not achieving the desired weight loss results.

The chances of developing any of these problems are small, however. Most who have the procedure and who commit to the required lifestyle changes find that they achieve significant weight loss and improvement in their overall health. You should discuss these or any other potential risks with your Dallas bariatric surgeon before making a decision. Be sure to bring a list of questions, and your current medication with you to your consultation appointment.

The operation is a tool, which helps you control your weight by requiring modification in your dietary intake. If you do not use it correctly, you can regain the weight you have lost.

Three common culprits to poor weight loss or weight regain.

Not exercising
Drinking high-calorie liquids
Grazing (eating little bits throughout the day without realizing it)

Everyone is different. This depends on your particular skin elasticity. Exercise can certainly help. However, if you lose an excessive amount of weight, more than likely you will have some excess skin. Some patients opt for plastic surgery to correct this problem, but it is truly a personal decision.

Most plastic surgeons require that your weight loss be complete, and your weight be stable for 3-6 months prior to plastic surgery.

Any medication that irritates the stomach should be avoided. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Any physicians who treat you in the future should be made aware of your surgery, and aware of avoiding these drugs. However, there may be situations where these drugs are necessary for a short time. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Malladi’s office for guidance.

The skin incisions need to be sealed prior to going swimming or soaking in a tub. This is usually 3 weeks after surgery. Showering is fine.

You may resume sexual activity when you’re comfortable. This is usually about 3 weeks after surgery.

Yes. Any time you go through rapid weight loss, you can experience hair loss. This is generally a problem noticed from around 3 months to 9 months or longer after surgery. This is temporary and varies from person to person. The most important thing you can do to minimize hair loss is to follow the prescribed requirements of the program.

You will be on a progressive diet starting with full liquids, then soft proteins, and finally regular foods around week 8. Your diet will always need to be low in fat and sugar.

Remember, when you begin to think about solid foods, you will want to avoid breads, pasta, potatoes, and rice, at least initially. Most patients are able to tolerate a bite or two of these items by 6 months or so post-op.

When you eat any meals, think PROTEIN FIRST.

You will always have access to a nurse and a dietitian to answer any questions you have concerning food choices and good nutrition.

Weight loss varies depending on your pre-operative weight and your commitment to following the diet/exercise recommendations after surgery.

On average, you lose approximately 40-75% of your excess body weight depending upon which procedure you select.

No! Bariatric surgery is only a tool and the beginning of a new process and new life. After surgery, you will need to follow a progressive diet that is low in fat and sugar.

Diet and exercise is still how weight loss and weight control are accomplished. You must commit to a change in your dietary habits and an exercise regimen for maximum success.

Once you have weight loss surgery you are at an increased risk for ulcers and the substances listed in these items are known to contribute to stomach ulcers. Carbonation can also cause unpleasant gas and/or bloating.

The minimum recommended time is 12 months after you reach your goal weight. Ideally, patients should wait 18 to 24 months after surgery before conceiving.

The more you move around the faster the gas will dissipate. Also avoiding the use of straws early on after surgery will help reduce the build-up of additional gas. You may take over-the-counter Gas-X or drink (sip) warm tea or broth for relief.

After you are sent home from the hospital, patients will need to wait at least 24 hours after taking narcotic pain medication.

When you return to work will depend on the type of work you do, your personal energy level and any restrictions your employer places on you. Patients have returned to work as soon as the next 4-7 days but the majority of patients take off 2-3 weeks.

During the first few months after surgery, you will find that your body uses a great deal of energy for the healing process. This means that there is not a lot of energy “left over” for other activities. You will have days when you seem to have more energy, and others when you seem to tire easily. When you feel tired, take time to rest. However, the more you can do the better. Be sure to listen to your body and use common sense.

Typically Gastric Bypass and Sleeve patients remain in the hospital 1-2 days after surgery. If needed, patients may stay longer. Lap Band surgery is usually a day surgery procedure.

Diseases or conditions associated with obesity such as: Type 2 diabetes, High blood pressure/Heart disease, Osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints, Sleep apnea/Respiratory problems, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Gallbladder disease, Depression, Infertility and/or menstrual irregularities, Skin breakdown, Swollen legs/Skin ulcers, Urinary stress incontinence & Pancreatitis.

The manual formula is:
BMI = (Weight in lbs X 703) / (Height in inches X Height in inches)

Obesity that is related to significant health risk and is often associated with a variety of co-morbidities. It is usually defined as being 100 pounds of more above ideal weight and a BMI of 40 or higher.

Start Your Dallas Bariatrics Journey Today and Change Your Life!

Contact Dr. Malladi to discuss which bariatric procedure can best help you achieve your wellness and weight loss goals. We offer appointments in both Dallas and Plano, Texas and a variety of payment options to make bariatric surgery more accessible to those who need it. Regardless of finances, if you struggle with obesity, reach out to us today!

Bariatric Surgery in Dallas