For many people struggling with excess weight and obesity, weight loss treatment offers renewed hope for long-term success. At Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, our Washington University physicians offer both nonsurgical and surgical options so you can achieve your permanent weight loss goals and live a healthy, active life.
Why Choose Barnes-Jewish for Weight Loss?
Our experienced bariatric surgeons and gastroenterologists diagnose and treat hundreds of patients each year who want to make a positive change in their bodies. We provide a comprehensive program for weight loss in a convenient, comfortable setting. We offer:
- Excellent patient outcomes: Research shows that patients have the best outcomes when their surgeons are highly experienced and treat a substantial number of patients. Our Washington University lead bariatric surgeon has performed more than 3,500 bariatric surgery procedures – currently 400 per year, almost all with a laparoscopic (minimally invasive) approach.
- Nonsurgical weight loss options: We offer FDA approved, nonsurgical, minimally invasive endoscopic procedures that provide safe, effective treatment options for weight loss. They can help adults with mild to moderate obesity who haven’t succeeded at diet and exercise alone and are not candidates for bariatric surgery.
- Nationally recognized expertise: Our bariatric surgeons and gastroenterologists come from Washington University, and are at the forefront of weight loss research. Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital in Creve Coeur and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, are accredited for meeting or exceeding national standards by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). As a patient, you’re in good hands with our experienced team.
- Plastic surgery for body contouring: Washington University and private practice surgeons offer plastic surgery for excess skin removal after weight loss, right on the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital campus.
- All services on one campus: For many patients, you’ll receive all your weight loss services and care at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. Our comfortable setting is conveniently located in the west St. Louis County suburb of Creve Coeur, with free parking and easy access.
Nonsurgical Options for Weight Loss Treatment
We offer all nonsurgical weight loss treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These procedures have a lower excess weight requirement to qualify, which makes them available to a wide range of people who need medical weight loss treatment. Our experienced gastroenterologists offer nonsurgical procedures for weight loss, including:
- Intragastric balloon: A balloon device is temporarily placed in the stomach. The intragastric balloon takes up space in the stomach to create a feeling of fullness, helping people eat less. Read about gastric balloon for weight loss.
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: Physicians perform this minimally invasive procedure to reduce the size of the stomach without surgery. The procedure uses an endoscopic device (thin, flexible tube with micro tools) inserted down the throat into the stomach, to place sutures from the inside. Find out more about endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
- Endoscopic gastric outlet repair: For people who have had a gastric bypass and their stomach has enlarged over time, we offer a procedure to reduce the stomach’s size. Similar to endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, the revision procedure uses an endoscopic device to place sutures from the inside of the stomach. Read more about endoscopic gastric outlet repair.
Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss
Our expert surgeons offer all major types of bariatric surgery, each using laparoscopy, a minimally invasive approach with smaller incisions:
- Laparoscopic gastric bypass: Gastric bypass is the most widely performed surgery for weight loss and can produce significant, long-term weight loss. Get more details about laparoscopic gastric bypass.
- Adjustable gastric banding: This surgery does not alter the stomach or the digestive tract, so it requires fewer dietary restrictions and reduces the need for nutritional supplements. It’s also adjustable and more easily reversible than other bariatric surgeries. Find out about adjustable gastric banding.
- Gastric sleeve: People with severe obesity can adapt more easily to this type of surgery because it does not reroute the digestive tract. It can be used either as a single treatment or the first of two bariatric surgeries (usually followed by gastric bypass or duodenal switch). Read about gastric sleeve surgery.
- Duodenal switch: This surgery is more extensive than the other types of bariatric surgery and offers the greatest weight loss potential. It combines the gastric sleeve with intestinal rerouting for additional weight loss. Find out more about the duodenal switch procedure.
- Revisions to bariatric surgery: For a variety of reasons, some people may not be achieving their weight loss goals or may have complications after bariatric surgery. We offer laparoscopic revisions to correct previous bariatric surgeries or help restart weight loss. Learn more about revisions to bariatric surgery.
Coordinated Care With an Integrated Team
Your care team works together to coordinate your entire weight loss program, with staff from several disciplines, including:
- Bariatric surgeons experienced in minimally invasive techniques
- Physicians specializing in gastroenterology (digestive system care) and nonsurgical procedures
- Psychologists
- Registered dietitians for nutrition support for weight loss
- Lifestyle counselor for behavior coaching
- Exercise specialists for physical therapy and fitness training
Deciding on a Weight Loss Treatment
Our physicians will help you decide which procedure may be right for you, taking into account your needs, goals and overall health.
Contact Us for Weight Loss Treatment
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a bariatric endoscopy physician, please call Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital toll-free at 844-542-9378.
Referring physicians can call the BJC Transfer Center at 800.252.DOCS (3627) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit our referring physicians page.
OFFICE LOCATIONS AT BARNES-JEWISH WEST COUNTY HOSPITAL
Washington University Bariatric Endoscopic Therapy
Medical Office Building 4
1044 N. Mason Road, Suite 330
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Washington University Bariatric Surgery
Medical Office Building 4
1044 N. Mason Road, Suite 320
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
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OFFICE LOCATIONS AT BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL
Washington University Bariatric Endoscopic Therapy
Center for Advanced Medicine
4921 Parkview Place, Suite 10B
St. Louis, MO 63110
Washington University Bariatric Surgery
Center for Advanced Medicine
4921 Parkview Place, Suite 8C
St. Louis, MO 63110
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