Begin your path to a vibrant, new you

HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?

Call our bariatric patient navigator at 785-270-7326.

WHY THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEATH SYSTEM ST. FRANCIS CAMPUS

We are proud to have the most experienced weight loss surgery team in the region, with more than 3,000 bariatric surgeries performed since opening in 2002. Our surgeons are Board Certified, are members of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and all have received the additional distinction of Fellow of the ASMBS (FASMBS) and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). We provide access to a diverse multidisciplinary team including a medical weight loss expert, dedicated nursing staff, dietitians, exercise therapists, rehabilitation services, and behavioral health specialists, to name a few, with each having expertise in caring for patients before, during and after weight loss surgery.

Since 2007, our bariatric program has been named an Accredited MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accredited Quality Improvement Program) by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The MBSAQIP Accreditation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes and low complication rates.

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR MY SURGERY?

Most insurance companies provide policies that include benefits for the treatment of obesity (including bariatric surgery), but not all. Please contact your insurance company by calling the customer service telephone number on the back of your insurance card and ask about the terms of your specific policy coverage.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY?

Bariatric surgery may be an option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. If you have other serious health conditions such as Type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea, bariatric surgery may be an option with a BMI between 35 and 40. If your BMI is below 35, you may not qualify for surgery, in which case we do have a medical weight loss program that we can provide contact information for.

WHAT TYPES OF WEIGHT LOSS PROCEDURES DO YOU OFFER?

The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus offers several types of metabolic surgery procedures that assist with weight loss, including:

Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y or RNY) - A small pouch is created at the top of the stomach and attached to the small intestine, greatly limiting the amount of food that you can comfortably eat at one time, resulting in fewer nutrients and calories being absorbed.

Sleeve gastrectomy - Part of the stomach is separated and removed from the body leaving a long, tube-like pouch that cannot hold as much food. This also results in less production of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin, which may curb your desire to eat.

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) - This procedure modifies both the stomach and small intestine by combining a gastrectomy (removal of a portion of the stomach) with an intestinal bypass to shorten the path food takes through the intestines, limiting how much you are able to eat and reducing the absorption of nutrients, including protein and fat.

Revision surgery - Bariatric revision surgery modifies a previous weight loss surgery. Revisions may be performed due to complications from a previous bariatric surgery such as ulcers, strictures, obstructions; the removal/replacement of an adjustable gastric band; inadequate weight loss; or weight regain.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

For more information please call our bariatric navigator at 785-270-7326 or email us at bariatricstaff@kutopeka.com. We look forward to working with you and helping you reach your weight loss goals.