Bariatric Surgery
Safe, effective surgical options to overcome obesity and restore quality of life
What Our Patients Have To Say
Your Surgeon
You're in the Hands of one of Canada's Most Experienced Private Bariatric Surgeons
Dr. Adam Schofield MD, FRCSC, is the Program Lead for Windflower Surgical and the highest-volume private bariatric surgeon in western Canada. He trained at the University of Calgary, completed a two-year sub-specialty fellowship in upper gastrointestinal surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia, one of the world's leading centres for bariatric and upper GI care, and holds a Master's degree in Minimally Invasive Surgery from the University of Adelaide.
Dr. Schofield is the leading provider of the SADI-S procedure in Canada, and his depth of experience spans the full range of primary and complex revisional bariatric operations.
He currently serves as an attending surgeon with the Central Alberta Bariatric Specialty Clinic alongside his role at Windflower Surgical. When you come to Windflower Surgical, Dr. Schofield leads your care personally, from your first consultation through your recovery.
Dr. Adam Schofield MD, FRCSC
- MD, FRCSC
- Upper GI Surgery Fellow — Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Master's in Minimally Invasive Surgery — University of Adelaide
- #1 Volume Private Bariatric Surgeon, Western Canada
Rediscover Life Beyond Obesity
Obesity is a medical disease shaped by many complex factors, but with new research and dedicated care teams, there are effective treatment options for people struggling with the diagnosis
Types of Bariatric Surgeries
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve Gastrectomy with hiatus hernia repair | Windflower Bariatrics
Windflower Bariatrics offers the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as one of our surgical options due to the excellent safety profile and well-established results. There are pros and cons to the various bariatric surgeries (including bypass, mini-gastric bypass, etc.). Not all patients are best served with a sleeve and all our patients start with a comprehensive evaluation of their individual needs and goals to make this decision together.
Good candidates for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy through Windflower Bariatrics:
- Motivated, educated, and ready (we can help with this part)
- Willing and able to participate in their own health
- No unmanaged mental health diagnoses
- No active eating disorders
- Age 18-55
- Non-smoker
- BMI 35-55
- Minimal or no acid reflux
- No severe illnesses that would compromise the safety of the surgery
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
We also offer laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass, which is considered to be the gold standard procedure against which other weight loss operations are measured. Gastric bypass surgery leads to a greater amount of weight loss and more sustained results, as well as more profound impacts on metabolic health problems associated with obesity such as type II diabetes and hypertension, as compared to sleeve gastrectomy. During gastric bypass, a small pouch is created out of the top of the stomach, restricting the amount of food able to be ingested. The small bowel is then joined to the stomach pouch, bypassing the remaining stomach and a portion of the small intestine, thereby decreasing the amount of calories absorbed from the ingested food. Similar to the sleeve gastrectomy, there are also impacts on the hormones that control hunger and sensation of fullness.
Indications for gastric bypass are similar to that of sleeve gastrectomy, but should be more strongly considered in the following patients:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Fatty liver disease
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Metabolic syndromes
SADI-S Surgery
The SADI-S procedure, also known as the modified duodenal switch, loop DS, or SIPS (Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing surgery) is an innovative procedure that is proving to be the most effective bariatric and metabolic operation. During this procedure, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed. The first portion of the small intestine (duodenum) is then divided. A single loop of down stream small intestine is then attached to the cuff of duodenum, effectively bypassing about half of the small intestine. Studies show that two years post-SADI-S surgery, patients can lose over 95% of their excess body weight, with more than 90% achieving complete remission of diabetes.
Comparing SADI-S to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The SADI-S procedure offers several benefits over gastric bypass surgery (RYGB), including:
- Patients can safely take aspirin, NSAIDs, and steroids without the risk of developing marginal ulcers.
- It is the most effective surgery for diabetes management.
- It facilitates the greatest weight loss among bariatric procedures.
- Decreased risk of dumping syndrome.
- Decreased risk of bowel obstructions compared to both traditional DS and RYGB.
Considering bariatric surgery after trying a GLP-1 medication?
GLP-1 medications have changed how many Albertans approach weight loss. For some patients, they work well. For others, results plateau, side effects become difficult to manage, or the ongoing cost of $200 to $400 per month is unsustainable.
If you've been through that experience, you're not alone. A growing number of patients coming to surgical consultation have already tried a GLP-1 medication. That lived experience often makes for a more informed patient.
Bariatric surgery and GLP-1 therapy are not competing approaches. They address obesity through different mechanisms, with different outcomes and different commitments. Understanding both helps you make a decision that fits your situation.
Bariatric Surgery Before and After
Frequently Asked Questions
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