Weight loss is the most personal journey we can take.
From how we gained our weight to who we can be without it—we all have our own unique story.
We carry unique burdens. We face unique challenges. There is far more to our stories than digits on a scale.
Check out what Bariatric Surgery Center has to offer.
Call 216.592.2801 to schedule a consultation.
Weight loss is complex because the body is complex.
Dr. Leslie Pristas, D.O., medical director of the Center for Bariatric Surgery, explains why weight loss is hard and how our bodies have been developed to actually work against diet and exercise.
Watch more [MYTH vs. FACT] videos here.
Am I a Candidate?
Contemplating weight loss surgery brings lots of questions.
Is weight loss surgery right for me? Do I have to be obese? What does my Body Mass Index mean? Am I really a candidate? We’ve helped thousands of people who have come to us from a variety of paths in their journey to weight loss.
Many of our patients have gained weight gradually over a few decades.
They are on the edge of medical obesity, and while they have lost some things in their life already, they face deeper challenges if they don’t stop their gradual weight gain. Some of our patients have struggled with weight their entire lives and are reaching the critical crossroads of a health crisis. In our experience, we’ve even seen patients who were once competitive athletes, but their lives changed direction just a few years ago—and a massive weight gain followed.
Everyone has their own unique path, but a basic Body Mass Index can guide your exploration of weight loss options. Enter your BMI information below.
BMI Calculator
Your BMI is:
What does this Result Mean?
| BMI Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under 16 | Severely Underweight |
| Between 16 and 20 | Underweight |
| Between 21 and 25 | Healthy Weight |
| Between 26 and 30 | Moderately Overweight |
| Between 31 and 25 | Overweight |
| Between 36 and 29 | Very Obese |
| Over 40 | Morbidly Obese |
If your BMI is greater than 40, bariatric surgery is one possible treatment option. If your BMI is over 35 but you have a significant number of health problems (for example, diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure) caused or made worse by your weight, then you might also consider bariatric surgery as a treatment option. If you fall into these categories, we recommend you continue your exploration of surgical options by completing an introductory seminar online.
For those who have a BMI between 26 and 35, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center also offers non-surgical weight loss options. These personalized programs can get you on the path to better health. Explore those options here.
Regardless of your BMI, a number is not your whole story. In order to treat you, we get to know you. We don’t see you as a number. We want to learn more about you, because that is how we find answers. We invite you to get to know us by attending a seminar or exploring our medical weight loss options. It’s just one little step to making a big change in your life.
There are so many things I do now that I never did before. Now I take the stairs. I walk to work. I left the pain behind me.
— Patrick, lost 135 pounds after bariatric surgery
Weight loss is a team sport. Join our private Facebook community.
Meet patients in various stages of their weight loss journey. Connect with people overcoming the same fears and challenges you have faced. Find a supportive community that will cheer you on as your reach your goals together. The group is a positive, safe, educational online space where St. Vincent Charity Medical Center for Bariatric surgery staff members answer questions, offer support and share information.
How to Join:
- Search ‘St. Vincent Bariatric Community’ on Facebook
- Log-on to Facebook
- Go the ‘St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’ page (@StVincentCMC)
- On the left side of the screen, scroll to Groups
- Click on Groups and click on ‘St. Vincent Bariatric Community’
- Click “Join”
Why St. Vincent
If you're considering weight loss surgery, watch to learn more about why you should choose the Center for Bariatric Surgery at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
Financing through Prosper Healthcare Lending
Prosper Healthcare Lending is the premier financing company in the healthcare industry. With over $3 billion borrowed and over 250,000 people empowered, this is a name and a program you can trust.
Hear are some of the benefits you'll receive with a loan from Prosper Healthcare Lending:
- Immediate decisions for loans under $35,000
- Longer terms for lower monthly payments
- No collateral required
- No prepayment penalties
- Fast & easy loan inquiry process
- 100% confidential
Quality Matters
The Center for Bariatric Surgery (CBS) at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is nationally recognized as a Center of Excellence (COE) by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), a pioneering organization designated by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) to pursue excellence in the delivery of bariatric surgical care with the highest levels of efficacy, efficiency and safety.
Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided.
The Center for Bariatric Surgery received the Center of Excellence designation and has maintained that standing for more than 10 years.
I contemplated surgery for at least five years before doing it. I’d lose 10 pounds then put back on 15. My doctor finally told me I was reaching the point where serious health problems were likely to follow. Surgery changed my life in so many ways. I don’t just feel better—my entire outlook on life has completely changed.
— Michael, lost more than 150 pounds through bariatric surgery
Recent Posts
July 16, 2021
Intermittent fasting pros and cons
Intermittent fasting was Google's second most searched diet in 2020 and the most searched diet in 2019. But is the intermittent fasting diet just another fad diet or is it a legitimate long-term option for healthy living? Staci Cortelezzi, registered ...continue reading
Read More
May 27, 2020
Providing a Safe Place to Receive Care: A Letter from Janice G. Murphy, MSN, FACHE, president & CEO
With your health as our priority, we assure you that St. Vincent Charity Medical Center facilities provide a safe place for you to receive care. Your health and that of your loved ones is too important to postpone regular preventative care, diagnosti ...continue reading
Read More
February 18, 2020
Losing Weight Begins with Understanding All Your Needs
Research shows that in many cases doctors need to focus less on a patient’s weight and look more individually at things such as personal physiology and behavior. Despite such findings, physicians routinely recommend dieting for weight loss as a means ...continue reading
Read More
October 21, 2019
Meet the Experts: Bariatric Surgery in Preparation for Orthopedic Surgery
Obesity leads to heart disease, type II diabetes and cancer. It also has a significant impact on joint health. Individuals with obesity have higher incidence of hip pain and stiffness, knee ...continue reading
Read More