Retake Control of Your Life

At Intermountain Health, our dedicated teams of weight loss experts will guide you throughout your weight loss journey. We offer minimally invasive surgical options (bariatric surgery) and a medical (non-surgical) weight loss program while providing excellent clinical outcomes. Our comprehensive team including bariatric surgeons, nurse practitioners, dietitians, behavioral health specialists, and care coordinators will help you understand the benefits of weight loss, whether through bariatric surgery or a medically supervised weight loss program.

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Weight Loss Options

Medically Supervised Weight Loss

Losing weight starts with making important lifestyle choices about nutrition and exercise. If you are ready to lose weight and keep it off for good, but you don’t want to have surgery, we can customize a weight loss program to help you meet your goals.

Adjustable Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding restricts or reduces the size of the stomach without cutting it. The surgeon places a silicone band around the top part of the stomach, dividing it in two. The smaller part holds the food eaten and the patient feels full quickly. The rest of the stomach still secretes the fluids that aid digestion. Later the doctor can loosen or tighten the silicone band according to weight loss progress and the sensation of fullness.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

By reducing the size of the stomach by limiting the nutrients that the intestines can absorb. The surgeon divides the stomach, creating a pouch – about the size of an egg – that feels full after eating a small amount of food. The larger portion of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine are bypassed and reconnected in a Y-shaped configuration. The shortened length of intestine absorbs fewer calories and nutrients.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric procedure that permanently reduces the size of the stomach by about 85 percent. The larger, rounded part of the stomach is removed, leaving a small sleeved-shaped portion about the size and shape of a banana. Though the stomach is smaller, digestion and absorption of nutrients go on as normal. Some patients also may have duodenal switch surgery that reduces absorption of calories and nutrients by shortening the length of intestine that food passes through.

Bariatric Surgery

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SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Weight Loss Center

Patient Success Stories

We celebrate the success of our patients no matter how big or small. Let the people we’ve helped inspire you with stories of strength, healing and hope. Find out how our team of weight loss professionals helped our patients regain control of their lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?

To qualify for bariatric surgery, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater or have a BMI of 35 with other health issues related to obesity, with obesity being defined as being 100 pounds or more overweight.

These health issues might include:

Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Infertility/polycystic ovary syndrome
Lipid and cholesterol disorders
Low back pain
Obstructive sleep apnea
Physical disability
Pulmonary embolism
Shortness of breath/fatigue
Varicose veins

What are the steps I have to take prior to surgery?

When you make an appointment to have bariatric surgery, you are making a commitment to change your life. That new life starts as you prepare for your upcoming surgery and continues as you learn to make healthier choices. Participation in our program includes:

Meeting your bariatric surgeon who will help you with health screenings and evaluations
Nutrition evaluations
Education
Smoking cessation
Learning about your insurance coverage

Once you complete all pre-operative steps and your insurance is approved, you will be scheduled to determine a surgery date.

What happens after surgery?

The average stay in the hospital is one night after surgery. The average time to take off work or school is approximately one week, however, talk to your surgeon about the recommended time to take off.

Follow-up is very important to your success. Your first follow-up visit will be approximately one to two weeks after surgery. Then, we will schedule visits with you for one month, three months, six months and one year, and we’re available to meet with you every year after that. Our team is here to support you for the rest of your life!

How much does weight loss surgery cost?

The cost of bariatric surgery often depends on a variety of factors, including insurance. While most insurance companies will cover bariatric surgery, we recommend that you reach out to your insurance provider to discuss your options. We will provide a FREE telephone appointment with our Financial Counselor to go over your insurance benefit. We accept self-payment, private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.

How much weight can I lose from weight loss surgery?

Around 90% of patients lose 50% of excess body weight and keep it off long-term. Studies have reported that bariatric surgery has proven to decrease mortality, risk for cancer, heart disease, among many other benefits. Your surgeon can give you a more individualized weight loss range based on your starting weight, height, and various other factors.

What are the requirements for medical weight loss?

Any patient trying to lose weight with a BMI > 30 or >27 with one or more weight related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or sleep apnea.

How much weight can I lose from the medical weight loss program?

While studies on individual medications report weight loss of 8-10% with medications and lifestyle changes, we have seen an average of 5% weight loss with a range up to 20% lost in a few patients. Keeping in mind everyone is different.

What can I expect at a medical weight loss appointment?

Our Nurse Practitioner works with patients to create a customized weight loss plan based on the individual’s medical history and current eating behaviors. Weight loss medications, meal replacements, and supplements will be considered based on patient history. There are multiple medications that are FDA-approved for weight loss.