Weight Loss Surgery Center
If you're committed to losing weight, we're committed to helping you!
You’ve tried to lose weight. You’ve struggled with one fad diet after another. You may have even taken pills to control your appetite or increase your metabolism. Despite everything you’ve tried, you still find excess weight draining you of energy, hurting your social life and negatively impacting your health and well-being.
It may be worse than you realize. If you're 100 pounds or more overweight, you're putting your life at risk. Studies show that extreme obesity can lead to hypertension, diabetes, degenerative arthritis, back pain, sleep apnea and heart failure. According to the American College of Surgeons, “Diseases associated with morbid obesity markedly reduce the odds of attaining an average life span and raise annual mortality tenfold or more.”
Recently, CBS News' "60 Minutes" highlighted Bariatric Surgery and its amazing affect on a variety of health issues. Check out the following:
DeTar Healthcare System is committed to its mission of providing quality healthcare to the community we serve, and our Weight Loss Surgery Program is an extension of that commitment.
The Weight Loss Surgery Center at DeTar Healthcare System is designed to assist you in improving your health and quality of life by using surgical intervention for weight reduction. Our team is committed to leading you through a journey that can change your life. We'll assist you in identifying problem areas and then work with you to develop solutions to overcome them.
Surgeries at DeTar are performed by Craig Chang, M.D., a fellowship-trained Bariatric Surgeon, who is complemented by a team of experienced bariatric surgery nurses, dietitians and exercise physiologists. Together this team is ready to help you become a whole new you.
Surgical weight loss options available at DeTar:
- Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
- Laparoscopic Banding
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Learn more about these procedures.
Which surgery is right for you?
The type of surgery you choose is not only a very personal decision that should be discussed between you and your family, but also one that requires the professional expertise and knowledge of your surgeon. Surgery to promote weight loss is a serious undertaking, and patients who have had surgery require close monitoring as well as life-long use of special foods and medications.
Weight loss surgery has shown to be an effective tool in weight loss, but it's only a tool. No method, including surgery, guarantees to produce and maintain weigh loss. Success is possible only with your fullest cooperation and commitment to behavioral change and medical follow-up.
Eligibility Criteria
 Adult BMI Calculator
Rather than relying on the bathroom scale to tell you if you're overweight, BMI takes into account your weight and height to indicate body fat. The goal for most people: a BMI that's over 18 and under 25. |
Surgical weight loss patients must meet the criteria based on guidelines established by the National Institute of Health:
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40 or a BMI of 35 when accompanied by other issues related to health (co-morbidities).
- Documented failure of at least one medically supervised weight reduction program within the last two years.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 65.
- No documented history of bi-polar disease, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder or other psychoses which will interfere with the informed consent process or the patient's ability to follow directions.
- Be physically active.
Attend a Free Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Seminar
We encourage you to gather information on weight loss surgery by researching information on the Internet, talking with our team members and attending support groups and seminars both before and after surgery. Developing your own knowledge base about this treatment method will empower you to reach your goal of long-term weight loss.
For an in-depth look at the advantages of weight loss surgery the DeTar offers free seminars. Our next seminar will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 17 in Corpus Christi, TX at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach located at 1102 S. Shoreline Blvd.
For additional information, please contact DeTar's Weight Loss Surgery Center Coordinator Elizabeth Sommerfeld, MS, RD, LD, at 361-788-6095.
For more information or to register for a seminar, please click here.