At the IRMC Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery Institute, we are committed to helping you achieve your weight loss goal and improve your overall health. We offer a comprehensive weight loss program, including bariatric surgery, with treatments that are tailored to your individual needs.
The benefits of weight loss and bariatric surgery are vast. Losing extra weight can improve your quality of life, eliminate sleep apnea, help control hypertension, reverse diabetes, reduce the risk of heart disease and more.
If you are struggling to lose weight, are over the age of 18 and are willing to make a lifelong commitment to your health, we are here for you.
Our weight loss doctors and specialists
Our team, comprised of experts in their respective fields of bariatric surgery, obesity medicine, psychology, nursing and nutrition, ensure that you are supported in all aspects of your weight loss journey, both physically and mentally. This means helping you learn and establish dietary, fitness and other lifestyle routines to stay on your personal journey.
Most importantly, it means our team is with you through it all. Our team works together to provide you with the highest quality of care, from the time of your initial session and support groups, to the day your weight loss journey begins and then on to long-term follow up care.
Bariatric surgery
For many obese and morbidly obese individuals, bariatric (weight loss) surgery is the best solution. There are multiple types of weight loss surgery available, all of which are performed laparoscopically, or robotically, with minimal incisions and short recovery by our experienced bariatric surgeon, Brian Walkowski, MD.
Regardless of the type of surgery you have, a positive mindset and motivation are instrumental. Our behavioral health team will work with you to ensure that you have the emotional support you need to make this important change.
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass, also called Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass, is a type of weight-loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting the new pouch directly to the small intestine. Following surgery, swallowed food will go into this small pouch and then into the small intestine, thereby bypassing most of your stomach and the beginning of your small intestine.
Gastric bypass is one of the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy)
Gastric sleeve surgery, also called sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure. It is typically performed laparoscopically, which involves inserting small instruments through multiple small incisions in the abdomen. During this procedure, our bariatric surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana.
Limiting the size of your stomach restricts the amount of food you are able to consume at one time. Also, the procedure triggers hormonal changes that assist with weight loss. Those same changes also help reduce conditions associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
Nonsurgical weight loss
In addition to bariatric surgery, IRMC offers a variety of nonsurgical options to help people lose weight. Our weight management specialists will recommend the right combination of treatments to meet your needs. These may include:
Medical management of obesity
Our obesity specialists, Nervana Mahmoud, MD, PhD (Board Certified in Obesity Medicine) and Gakwaya Habiyaremye, MD, use a broad treatment plan to help you reach your weight goal. This plan may include nutrition counseling, exercise, behavioral changes, medicine and advice. Your custom weight-loss treatment plan will help with treating obesity and health conditions associated with it.
Medical nutrition therapy
IRMC dietitians will create a personalized eating plan tailored to your medical and weight loss needs.
Health coaching
Our health coaches provide patients with a supportive partnership designed to motivate and encourage you to make health and wellness changes a reality. We empower you to take ownership of your experience.
Start your weight loss journey today
To make an appointment, call the Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery Institute at 724.349.3170.