Bariatric Surgery

The Weight Loss Seminar is the first step in joining our Weight Loss Surgery Program. We want to make sure you understand what is required to succeed in your weight loss journey.

After watching the seminar, please fill out the form here to be contacted to learn more about bariatric surgery.

For more information, please contact the Bariatric Program Coordinator at 870.243.0531.

Weight Loss Seminar Weight Loss Surgery Seminar Registration Weight Loss - Frequently Asked Questions

No question that losing weight can be difficult, especially when compiled alongside health challenges accompanying being overweight. At St. Bernards, there are many options for combating unhealthy weight. Our esteemed weight loss doctors specialize in developing strategies or alternatives for weight loss with the patient in mind.

Weight Loss Clinic Team and Care

St. Bernards uses a multi-disciplinary team of professionals specializing in weight loss surgery to provide patients with the most comprehensive approach to a healthy weight. The team is led by the distinguished Dr. Willie Harper, Jr. The physicians at St. Bernards understand the importance of the weight loss team working together to provide comprehensive care for the whole patient psychologically, nutritionally, and physically. St. Bernards multi-disciplinary team comprises weight loss physicians, nurses, dieticians, physical therapists, psychological providers, anesthesia providers, weight loss program coordinators, and other valuable care professionals to accomplish this task.

At St. Bernards, we understand that weight loss is a continuous effort; this is why we offer support and education before, during, and after weight loss surgery. Our clinic is committed to patient excellence and ensuring that the experience is comfortable and successful. Our facilities offer state-of-the-art surgical equipment and imaging to provide a minimally evasive surgery and faster recovery for our patients. After surgery, our patients recover in specially designed bariatric suites featuring comfortable-sized beds and furniture.

Weight loss patients have options for selecting the surgery that is right for them. At St. Bernards, we offer Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass as surgical options. Both of these surgeries are performed laparoscopically, making them minimally invasive. Our skilled surgeon makes a small incision in each of these surgeries, allowing a small camera and medical instrument to enter the body and complete the procedure. Our patients have faster recovery time, less bleeding, minimal scarring, shorter hospitalization, and less pain by using laparoscopic surgery.

Our weight loss surgical patients have a high success rate of experiencing effective weight loss that improves or resolves co-morbid conditions of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. If you feel that weight loss is something you are struggling with, contact one of our weight loss doctors to see which weight loss alternative is suitable for you.

Weight Loss Surgery - Arkansas

Morbid obesity is not only a complex medical condition. That also has a significant economic, social, and psychological impact on those who suffer from it. Often it is easy to see the quality of life issues that come with being obese. However, the underlying medical condition it causes can be severe, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, and joint disease. Those 100 or more pounds over their ideal body weight may find that weight loss surgery is an effective treatment.

Questions to help you determine if weight loss surgery is a possible treatment for you:

Have you tried dieting and exercise only to gain back the weight you have lost plus more?
Is your weight affecting your health?
Are you ready to make the commitment to work with our weight loss team to help you be successful in your long-term weight loss goals?

Candidates for weight loss surgery:

The patient is between the ages of 18 and 65.
Has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or more (about 100lbs. over ideal body weight).
Has a BMI ranging from 35-40 and with medical problems such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint disease, or high cholesterol.

If you feel these apply to you, a surgical alternative may be the right option for long-term weight loss. Patients at St. Bernards that combine dietary changes, exercise, and counseling find tremendous success in losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve Gastrectomy permanently reduces the size of the stomach. This reduction restricts the amount of food a person can eat, resulting in weight loss. The surgical procedure removes about 75 percent of the stomach, leaving a long banana-shaped sleeve that can hold far less food.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

During Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, the surgeon cuts away approximately 85 percent of the stomach. This leaves a small golf ball-sized pouch that holds little food. By reducing the size of the stomach, you also reduce the amount of food that can be consumed. The stomach that is cut away remains in the abdomen, still connected to the small intestine but no longer accepts food. The second part of the procedure uses a bypasses approach to secure a portion of the small intestine to the remaining stomach. By doing this, fewer calories will be absorbed through the intestinal wall, further contributing to weight loss.

Are you interested in learning more? The first step is to watch our free informational seminar below.The Weight Loss Seminar is the first step in joining our Weight Loss Surgery Program. We want to make sure you understand what is required to succeed in your weight loss journey.