Surgical Program for Weight Management
If you are 100 or more pounds overweight, or if you have life-threatening problems associated with your weight such as sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disease or diabetes, you might want to consider weight loss surgery. Our surgeons are the most experienced in the region and offer the "gold standard" Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric banding (LAP-BAND®) surgical techniques at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis in Wichita.
What sets us apart from all others?
The Via Christi Weight Management team approach offers the best care. In seven years we have had zero deaths from this surgery, and our patients have reported significant improvements in their health.
| Via Christi Weight Management Outcomes Data, 2008 | Self Reported Changes of Co-morbid Conditions 1 Year Post Gastric Bypass | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N = 268 | Diagnosed | Resolved | Improved | Total | |
| Condition | # | % | % | % | % |
| Diabetes | 68 | 25% | 73% | 25% | 98% |
| Hypertension | 125 | 47% | 66% | 33% | 99% |
| Sleep Apnea | 48 | 18% | 73% | 327% | 100% |
The data bears out to the excellence of our program. We know that the decision to have bariatric surgery is one of the most important decisions an individual will ever make because life after surgery will be radically different from what it is today. Our goal is to help our patients step through the process of making their decision. We want to make sure that they understand how their day-to-day life will be different and we support them as they move through the process.
Our comprehensive screening and education is what sets our surgical weight management program apart from others around the country.
- Before surgery, our surgeons and a team of medical and psychological experts fully screen patients and prepare them for surgery.
- Patients attend an excellent pre-op education program which fully informs them about their surgical procedure and what their lifestyle will be like after surgery.
After surgery our surgeons offer our patients quality long-term follow up care.
After surgery our patients join post-operative education classes and support groups .
Our team is made up of bariatric surgeons, Via Christi Weight Management medical director, advance practice nurse and registered nurses, clinical dietitian, and health educators. As a team we offer a comprehensive service of the highest quality to assure our patients’ potential for long term success in managing their weight and their health.
Our patients' success stories.
Do you want to get started?
To get started you will need to complete the following 3 tasks:
- Call your health insurance plan for the following information:
- Is bariatric surgery a covered benefit of your health insurance plan?
- Do you have in-network benefits at Via Christi Regional Medical Center? If not, do you have out-of-network benefits at Via Christi Regional Medical Center?
- If your plan does not cover bariatric surgery or it will not cover it at Via Christi, are you thinking about paying for the surgery yourself?
- Attend a monthly orientation seminar led by the surgical and medical team. Our team of experts comes together for two free orientation seminars each month:
Via Christi Weight Management Map
The fourth Wednesday of each month (unless it is a holiday week) at noon, held at Via Christi Weight Management (6100 East Central, Wichita). For more information please complete the following registration form.
Family Practice Clinic Map
The second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm, held at the Via Christi – St. Francis Specialty Clinic (707 North Emporia, Wichita). For more information please complete the following registration form.
