If you live in Mansfield and have spent years fighting your weight through diets that work for a while and then stop, you are not failing. Obesity is a medical condition driven by biology, not willpower, and for many people the most effective treatment is surgical.
At CGA Weight Loss & Surgical Specialists, now located at 1400 US 287 Frontage Road, Suite 201 in Mansfield, board-certified surgeon Dr. Chukwuma Apakama helps patients achieve lasting results.
Here is exactly what the journey looks like, from your first question to long after surgery.
Why Weight Loss Surgery, and Why Now
Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric or metabolic surgery, does more than shrink the stomach. It changes the gut hormones that control hunger and fullness, which is why it produces results that dieting alone rarely matches.
According to Mayo Clinic, bariatric surgery can lead to significant, durable weight loss while lowering the risk of serious conditions tied to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.
For many patients, the real motivation is not a number on a scale. It is being able to play with their kids, sleep through the night without a CPAP machine, come off medications, or simply walk through Mansfield’s Walnut Creek Linear Park without stopping. Surgery is a tool that makes those goals reachable.
Are You a Candidate? A Quick Self-Check
Eligibility guidelines were updated in 2022 by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and they are broader than the rules most people remember.
In general, surgery is now recommended for adults with a BMI of 35 or higher regardless of other conditions, and it is worth considering for those with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 who also have a metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes.
Ask yourself:
- Is your BMI 35 or above, or 30 and above with a condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea?
- Have you tried to lose weight through diet and exercise without lasting success?
- Are you ready to commit to long-term changes in how you eat and live?
If you answered yes to these, you may be a strong candidate. You can check your BMI in about ten seconds using our free calculator, then bring that number to your consultation. Only a qualified surgeon can confirm candidacy, but this is a useful starting point.
The Procedures Offered at CGA in Mansfield
There is no single best operation. The right choice depends on your body, your health history, and your goals, which is why CGA offers the full range of weight loss surgery options rather than a one-size-fits-all approach:
- Sleeve gastrectomy, the most common procedure, removes part of the stomach to reduce its size and curb hunger hormones.
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass reroutes the digestive tract and is especially effective for patients with diabetes or severe acid reflux.
- The duodenal switch (DS), SADI, and one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) are advanced options for patients who need greater or more durable results.
Almost all of these are performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques, which generally mean smaller incisions, less pain, and a faster return to your life. Dr. Apakama will walk you through which procedure fits you and why.
What to Expect Before Surgery
Surgery day is not your first step. The preparation phase is where good outcomes are built. After your initial consultation in Mansfield, you will go through a thorough evaluation that typically includes:
- A medical workup and lab tests to confirm you are ready for surgery
- A nutritional assessment with our dietitian services so you understand how your eating will change
- Guidance on any insurance requirements, since some plans require a supervised diet period or specific documentation before approval
This stage usually takes several weeks to a few months. It can feel slow, but it exists to make your surgery as safe and successful as possible. Use this time to ask every question you have. A practice worth choosing will welcome them.
Surgery Day and the Early Recovery
Most bariatric procedures at CGA are performed laparoscopically or robotically, often with a short hospital stay. You will wake up sore but mobile, and walking begins almost immediately, because early movement lowers the risk of blood clots and speeds healing.
The first few weeks follow a staged diet that progresses from liquids to pureed foods to soft solids and finally to regular textures. Your stomach is healing, so the pace is deliberate.
Expect to feel tired at first; this is normal as your body adjusts to a much smaller intake. By the end of the first month, most patients are walking comfortably, sleeping better, and already noticing the scale move.
Life After Surgery: The Part That Matters Most
Here is the truth many clinics gloss over: the operation is the easy part. Keeping the weight off for good depends on what happens in the months and years that follow. That is why CGA builds long-term follow-up and support into every patient’s plan, including:
- Scheduled follow-up visits to track your progress and catch any issues early
- A bariatric vitamin and supplement plan to prevent nutritional gaps
- Ongoing dietitian guidance as your needs change
- Education and encouragement for the lifestyle habits that protect your results
Patients who stay connected to their care team are the ones who succeed long-term. The relationship does not end when you leave the operating room. It is just beginning.
Why Mansfield Patients Choose CGA
When you are choosing a surgeon, credentials and accreditation matter. Research shows that accredited bariatric programs, like those recognized by the American College of Surgeons MBSAQIP, tend to have lower complication rates and better outcomes.
Dr. Apakama is a board-certified surgeon with fellowship training in bariatric surgery, advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and surgical critical care. That last credential matters: it means he is trained to care for complex, higher-risk patients, not just routine cases.
Combined with a full menu of procedures, minimally invasive expertise, and a genuine commitment to follow-up, that is the difference Mansfield patients feel.
Take the First Step
The hardest part of any weight loss journey is the first step, because you are starting from zero momentum. Let us help you take it.
Book your consultation at our Mansfield office, or call (214) 440-1245 to speak with our team. We will answer your questions, review your options, and help you decide whether surgery is right for you. No pressure, just expert guidance close to home.
Your healthier life starts in Mansfield, and it starts with a conversation.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Candidacy for bariatric surgery is determined through a clinical evaluation with a qualified surgeon.