Weight lost. Health gained.

Imagine playing with your kids, grandkids, or finally being able to fit into a pair of skinny jeans or a new, trendy outfit for a special occasion. Or maybe just want to feel confident wherever you are. Don’t let excess weight steal life’s pleasures from you.

To be a candidate for bariatric surgery, you must have the following characteristics established by the National Institutes of Health and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery:

• Be more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35–39.9 along with one or more diseases (for example, diabetes and/or hypertension which can improve significantly with weight loss)
• Have not been able to lose weight from diet and exercise after a sustained period of time
• Be prepared to make a lifelong commitment to dietary, exercise, and behavioral changes necessary for long-term success
• Have no mental or behavioral disorders that may interfere with long-term weight loss goals

Calculate your body mass index  now to see if you are a good candidate.

Our team has expertise in various weight loss surgery procedures. We will discuss each procedure with you in order to determine which one is best. St. John's offers patients various weight loss surgery procedures:

• The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is considered the gold standard in bariatric surgery and is the most widely used weight loss surgery procedure for patients seeking significant results and resolution of associated comorbidities.
• Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery procedure in which 85 percent of the stomach is removed.
• Single Anastomosis Gastric Bypass combines the principles of restriction and malabsorption, which are achieved by creating a long and narrow gastric pouch and bypassing part of the small bowel.
• In the duodenal switch or "DS" procedure, the portion of the small intestine is divided and connected to the last part of the small intestine to create a stomach, so that when the patient eats, the food goes through a newly created tubular stomach pouch and empties directly into the last segment of the small intestine. 
  
• Revision surgery may be the best solution when an ineffective procedure results in weight regain. 
• Obesity Medicine, a comprehensive, multifactorial approach combining evidence based therapies to help overweight and obese patients reach their goals.

• Complimentary seminars and patient education
  
• Payment plans
• Assistance with insurance
• Private hospital rooms
• Pre and postoperative care
• Support groups
• Nutrition counseling
• Customized fitness program
• Bilingual support (English/Spanish)
  Post-surgery follow-up

Our skilled bariatric team is committed to quality, with a focus on the safety, comfort and long-term wellness of our patients. We place an emphasis on educating patients about bariatric surgery to help them determine if weight loss surgery is their best option and, if so, which procedure is most appropriate.

Our experienced bariatric surgeons

• Helmuth Billy, MD
• Amir Mehran, MD - Offers video visits
• Terry Simpson, MD

Board certified in obesity medicine

• Daniel Flaming, MD - Offers video visits

Bariatric Program Coordinator
Brenna Calabrese, MSN, FNP-C (Nurse Practitioner)  
Program Coordinator, who guides patients through the entire surgical weight loss program. Collaborates with entire medical team to create a customized, individual treatment and recovery plan for each patient. 

Bariatric Registered Dietitian
Shannon Solomon, RD, RDN  
Bariatric Registered Dietitian with a Certificate of Training in Obesity in Pediatrics and Adults. Provides Bariatric Counseling focused on patient centered nutritional goals and lifestyle changes to lead to improved health and success pre and post surgery.

Patients who choose bariatric surgery to help them lose weight can achieve long-lasting weight loss. Here you’ll find important facts about obesity and bariatric surgery.

Many health insurance plans cover weight loss surgery. Talk to your surgeon about health plans in your area that cover bariatric procedures.

Answers to common questions about weight loss surgery.