It's not the weight you lose, but the life you gain

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Related links

• Weight loss surgery questions
• Support groups and other patient resources
• Tools for providers

Allina Health bariatric care

We're part of a network that offers a range of choices to people considering weight loss surgery. To learn more, visit allinahealth.org/WeightLossSurgery.

More than 7,000 people in the North Metro have achieved long-term weight loss, and started a new, healthier chapter of life with weight loss surgery at Unity Hospital. You can do it, too, here at one of Minnesota's first comprehensive bariatric centers.

Are you eligible for weight loss surgery?

• Is your body mass index (BMI) 35 or higher?
• Are you at least 100 pounds overweight?
• Do you have health problems or risks associated with being overweight?

Start on the road to long-term weight loss today.

• Sign up for a free bariatric surgery information session.
• Watch a video to learn about bariatric surgery options.
• E-mail your questions to a weight loss nurse.

Taking care of Heidi Morrison

Heidi Morrison heard about different surgeries and decided the sleeve procedure would be best for her. After only six months she had lost 70 pounds.

A Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

Unity was one of the first hospitals in Minnesota to open a comprehensive bariatric center. Since the beginning in 1996, we have helped more than 6,000 patients take a step toward a healthier lifestyle. This success has made our program a model for other hospitals in Minnesota.

Our program revolves around your needs

Think of Unity as your personal weight loss support team. Our bariatric nurse clinicians, dieticians, therapists and exercise specialists will be there for you every step of the way. We'll make sure you have the education, encouragement and assistance you need to achieve long-term weight loss and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

We start with a free information session, where you'll learn about the different types of weight loss surgery and your treatment options. You will then meet one on one with a bariatric nurse clinician, who will be your guide in preparing for surgery, and for long after. After your surgery, you'll even receive your surgeon's pager number, just in case you have any questions or concerns, day or night.

Why choose Unity for your bariatric surgery?

More than 6,000 people have chosen Unity for their bariatric surgery. There are many things to look for in choosing a bariatric and weight loss center that's right for you:

A new look on life came about because of the loss of weight and I became a whole different person.  I am celebrating my 30th year and enjoying life to the fullest! How wonderful that feels!

Read Janelle's story.

How our program works

We're there for you every step of your journey

Here are the major steps you'll go through as we help you achieve your goals for weight loss.

1. Attend our free information session

This meeting will help you determine if weight loss surgery is right for you, and it is required for anyone interested in pursuing surgery. Classes are held weekly at Unity Hospital, Find an open class time.

2. Complete a health history form

You will receive a health history form when you attend an information session. Be sure to bring the completed form with you when you meet with your bariatric nurse for your first appointment.

3. Meet with a bariatric nurse for a consultation

Your bariatric nurse will walk you through each step in the surgical process and review your healthy history form and insurance criteria. You'll also receive information about our other resources, such as psychologists and dietary consultations.

4. Prepare for surgery

Before your surgery is scheduled, you will need to lose 10 percent of your excess body weight. This helps reduce the risk of surgical complications and will speed up your recovery time. Tobacco-users must be nicotine-free at least 8 weeks prior to surgery.

5. Complete a psychological assessment

This assessment will determine whether you are in the best possible mental health to proceed with surgery at this time. Your psychologist will also help you prepare for surgery and the changes you will face after your surgery.

6. Meet with your bariatric nurse for an in-depth education session

Any questions that you still have will be answered at this meeting.

7. Meet with your surgeon

At this session, your surgeon will review surgery options and prepare you for the day of your surgery.

8. The week before your surgery

You'll need to see your family physician for a pre-operation physical exam within seven days before your surgery date.

9. Surgery

Your surgery will take only a few hours, and you'll be able to return home in 1-2 days. Before you leave the hospital, you'll receive information on what to expect during your recovery, as well as your surgeon's pager number. You can contact your surgeon at any time if you have a question or concern.

10. One-week follow up visit

Your surgeon will meet with you one week after surgery to check your incision and give you further instructions.

11. On-going support

We'll be there in the months and years after your surgery with continuing support you as you embrace a new, healthier lifestyle. Expect to have several appointments in the first year following your surgery. After that, you'll come back to Unity once per year for a follow up appointment. Support groups are available to you at anytime.

Surgery options at Unity Hospital

There are many weight loss surgery options you can choose to help you on your path to weight loss. Your surgeon will explain the benefits and risks of each option, and help you decide the best option for your needs.

Surgery options at Unity include:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery:
  Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery changes the size of your stomach as well as your ability to absorb calories to help you succeed at long-term weight loss.
• Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band:
  Adjustable gastric banding, commonly known as Lap-Band® or Realize Band™ surgery, is surgery to limit the amount of food you can eat at one time.
• Sleeve Gastrectomy:
  A sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery where surgeons remove part of the stomach and resize the remaining stomach to about the shape and size of a small banana.
• Surgical Revisions
  Patients who have had previous weight loss surgery and have experienced problems might be a candidate for a surgical revision. Common procedures include port revisions or repairs, adjustable gastric band slippage or position problems, and repair of an stomach stapling or gastric bypass procedure.

Non-surgical weight management program

For more information or
to sign up, call
1-866-904-9962 or
register online.

Changing My Weighs

For morbidly obese patients, weight loss surgery is a proven, long-term solution. But for those who do not qualify for surgery, or are not ready to take that step, there is another option.

Learn how to lose weight in a healthy, safe manner using good nutrition and lifestyle habits which will last you a lifetime. This nine-session course is taught by trained dietitians and nurses with experience with managing weight loss. The first week, each participant will receive one-on-one support in creating a personal weight loss plan, unique to your goals and challenges.

Additional topics include exercise, mindful eating, reading food labels in the grocery store, identifying and managing stress, meal planning, tips for eating healthfully on vacation and at holidays and staying motivated.

Changing My Weighs is for individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. Determine your BMI.

Cost: $350 for the nine-session series that takes place over 12 weeks
Registration: Call 1-866-904-9962 or register online.
Location: Unity Education Center, 620 Osborne Road NE, Education Center Room 3, Fridley, MN 55432

Meet our surgeons

Jeffrey Baker, MD, FACS surgeon, co-medical director Unity Hospital Bariatric Center	Frederick Johnson, MD, FACS surgeon, co-medical director Unity Hospital Bariatric Center
Jonathan Gipson, MD, FACS surgeon Unity Hospital Bariatric Center	Laura July, MD, FRCSC surgeon Unity Hospital Bariatric Center

These stories paint a picture of the expert medical care and excellent experience we provide to our patients and their families.

Sleeve procedure

Taking care of Heidi Morrison

Heidi Morrison heard about different surgeries and decided the sleeve procedure would be best for her. Morrison scheduled an appointment and Dr. July had performed the first sleeve procedure at Unity Hospital and after only six months she had lost 70 pounds.

Less to love

Couple chooses weight loss surgery to lose 265 pounds

In December 2005, Ann LaCourse had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass weight-loss surgery at Unity Hospital by Daniel Baker, MD. A few months later, Pat LaCourse also had the procedure performed by Dr. Baker of the Unity Hospital Bariatric Center. In a little more than one year, the LaCourses lost a combined 265 pounds.

Lap Band® surgery

Lap Band® surgery gives Karie Henderson "the lifestyle I had always wanted."

Karie Henderson was never overweight as a child or adolescent. But after she married and had her only child, a son, everything changed.

Gastric bypass surgery

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!"

Before Gastric Bypass Surgery in March 1980, I tried every diet plan known to man. I thought I felt better about myself while dieting.