Bariatric Services
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your health. But we know it isn’t easy. If you’re significantly overweight and have tried to lose those pounds unsuccessfully in the past, it may even seem impossible.
We’re here to help you succeed. We offer state-of-the-art weight-loss surgeries, along with education, support and guidance to help you achieve your weight-loss goals.
We understand the physical, emotional and social challenges that come with obesity and what it takes to lose unwanted pounds for good. Our focus is on giving you the tools and encouragement you need to lose weight effectively so that you can improve your well-being, feel good and live your best life.
Weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, offers many potential benefits, including:
- Better overall quality of life
- Decreased depression and anxiety
- Improvement or resolution of obesity-related health conditions including:
- Arthritis
- Cholesterol abnormalities
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Infertility
- Migraines
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Lower risk for early death
- Reduced need for medications
- Reduced risk for certain types of cancer
We offer several types of bariatric surgery and are the only Bariatric Center of Excellence in Alaska.
Determining whether you’re a candidate for surgery begins with a careful evaluation of your body mass index (BMI), a measurement of your overall body fat based on your height and weight.
Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or greater. Generally, this translates to being 100 pounds or more overweight for men or 80 pounds or more overweight for women.
You may be a candidate for surgery if:
- Your BMI is 40 or greater
- Your BMI is 35 or higher and you have at least one obesity-related health risk, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea
- You meet certain eligibility criteria, including that you:
- Are 18 years old or older
- Are healthy enough to tolerate surgery
- Are well-informed and motivated about necessary lifestyle changes
- Are willing to commit to supervised aftercare (support groups, nutritional counseling, exercise, etc.)
- Do not drink alcohol heavily
- Do not smoke
- Have attended an informational seminar
- Have been overweight for more than five years
- Have received pre-surgical mental health, medical and nutritional counseling
- Understand the risks associated with surgery
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