Weight Loss & Metabolic Institute at The Woodlands Hospital - The Woodlands, TX

At St. Luke's Health – The Woodlands Hospital, we understand that obesity is a complex chronic disease. There isn’t one therapy that works for everyone, and success looks very different on an individual basis. That’s why we provide our patients with the tools and information they need to make the decisions that work best for them. Our comprehensive program and multidisciplinary team are here to help you achieve your goals.

Our highly skilled bariatric surgeons are experienced in a range of surgical and non-surgical bariatric surgery procedures, including minimally invasive procedures. 

These include:

• Bariatric revision surgery
• Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)
• Gastric balloons
• Gastric band surgery
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Gastric sleeve surgery

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• Gastric sleeve surgery: In gastric sleeve surgery, part of the stomach is removed to make it smaller, which will help you eat less and lose weight.
• Gastric bypass surgery: Gastric bypass is surgery to make the stomach smaller and change the connection between the stomach and the intestines, helping you eat less and feel full sooner.
• Gastric band surgery: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding makes the stomach smaller and limits how much food it can hold. This helps you eat less and feel full sooner.

For the right candidates, the benefits of weight loss procedures far outweigh the risks. When making your decision, it is important to consider your lifestyle, age, level of health, and any pre-existing conditions. We’ll take the time to carefully evaluate all these factors and determine the best option for you. We will recommend a procedure and plan that will enable life-long changes and move you toward improved health that enables you to live life as you want it. Even if you don't qualify for bariatric surgery, you may qualify for a non-surgical weight loss procedure.

As part of your procedure, our experts offer:

• Medical clearance to ensure all risk factors and comorbidities are handled appropriately before surgery.
• Nutritional counseling to create a solid foundation for successful weight loss after surgery.
• Mental health consultation to address anxiety prior to surgery, support diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders and reduce the risk of future transfer dependencies.
• Monthly dedicated support groups to provide emotional support and guidance from others going through the same experience.
• Follow-up care after the procedure that is specially adapted to your health and the procedure you have performed.

Our patients experience a dramatic improvement in their overall quality of life. They’re finally able to do the things they’ve been unable to do for so many years. And if that isn’t enough, bariatric surgery can also help patients achieve:

• Longer life expectancy
• Reduction or elimination of diabetes issues
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Reduction or elimination of hypertension
• Better sleep
• Enhanced mobility and range of movement
• Decreased risk of cancer
• Increased fertility

All surgeries carry inherent risks, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, and complications related to anesthesia. In addition, bariatric surgeries include the risk of:

• Complications due to rapid weight loss
• Digestive problems
• Dumping syndrome
• Gallstones
• Leakage
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Psychological impact
• Stomal stenosis
• Weight regain

Fifteen million Americans have been diagnosed with morbid obesity, and many are candidates for bariatric surgery. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides the following bariatric surgery guidelines:

• Previous attempts at weight loss have not been successful
• No medical or psychological conditions exist that would make surgery too risky
• Patient is motivated and willing to undergo surgery and a complete change in lifestyle

AND

• BMI (body mass index) is 40 or above, or BMI is 35 or above with the presence of diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, or other serious complications of obesity.

Our expert bariatric surgeons offer free in-person seminars to guide you through weight loss options, surgical procedures and postoperative lifestyle changes. If you can't attend in person, our online weight loss seminar allows you to take the first step to better health on your schedule. 

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Yes. We offer secure online access to your health information, making it easier and more convenient to manage your care. We’re here to simplify your health care journey and put your needs first.

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We accept most major insurance plans. If you have specific questions, give us a call—we’re happy to help.