Surgical Program for Weight Management

If you are 100 or more pounds overweight and want to lose weight, 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 bariatric surgeons are the most experienced in the region and offer the "gold standard" Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric banding (LAP-BAND®) and gastric sleeve surgical techniques at Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis in Wichita.

Free Bariatric Surgery Orientation Seminar

Thank you for your interest in Via Christi's Surgical Weight Management Program. You are invited to attend a free orientation seminar regarding obesity surgery and our surgical education program at Via Christi Weight Management.

Our Free Orientation Seminars are Held at:

• 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm (unless the day before or the day of a holiday). Must check in by 5:30 pm
  Held at Via Christi Clinic, Chang Family Practice, 707 N. Emporia, Wichita (use the south entrance)

Each orientation lasts approximately 1½ - 2 hours. You will find that many of your questions about obesity surgery are answered by this information and at the orientation seminar. You are welcome to bring a family member with you. I strongly recommend that you call your health insurance company and ask about your benefit for surgical treatment of obesity, preauthorization and criteria. The CPT code for gastric bypass is 43644 and Lap Band® is 43770. Not all health insurance plans will cover surgery for obesity.

If you are interested in seeking surgical treatment for obesity, please bring the following documents when you come to the orientation seminar:

1. A copy of your medical insurance card (both sides)
2. The completed medical history form

Your attendance at an orientation, completion of these forms, and a copy of both sides of your insurance card are required before we can process your application for the Surgical Weight Management Program. Our orientation seminars are well attended. To help us guarantee space for you at the orientation, we ask that you complete the Surgical Weight Management Registration section below and click on submit. If you have questions, please call Louise at 316-689-6082

As the program coordinator for the Surgical Weight Management program I look forward to meeting you at the orientation. Our bariatric surgery team will guide you through the process of learning about and possibly having bariatric surgery. We will work together throughout your preparation for surgery and support afterwards.

We look forward to meeting you at the free orientation seminar. Our bariatric surgery team will work together with you throughout your preparation for your surgical procedure and we will be there for you after your surgery.

Sincerely,
Kate Jantz
ARNP-C Program Coordinator
Surgical Weight Management Program
316-689-6115

What sets us apart from all others?

The Via Christi Weight Management team approach offers the best care in helping you lose weight. In eight years, our medical weight loss program has 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%	27%	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 tasks:

1. 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 Hospital? If not, do you have out-of-network benefits at Via Christi Hospital?
   • If your plan does not cover bariatric surgery or it will not cover it at Via Christi Hospital, 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