Bariatric Surgery at Group Health Medical Centers

Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss option for certain persons who are severely overweight. If you are approved for this surgery, Group Health can take you through the entire process — evaluation; surgery; and follow-up monitoring, nutrition counseling, and support.

Group Health performs two types of bariatric surgeries: RNY (Roux-en-Y), also known as gastric bypass, and the lap band. With the RNY gastric bypass, the stomach is surgically divided to create a small stomach pouch that will hold about 3 ounces of food. The lap band is a silicone band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch above the band.

Also see: Requesting Bariatric Surgery

Group Heath has been doing bariatric surgery since 1994. With time and experience, our program has evolved into a high volume bariatric surgery center with good outcomes and few complications.

Group Health's program has been recognized as a "Center of Excellence" by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. These credentials recognize surgeons and health care facilities that provide safe, high-quality bariatric surgical care.

Group Health staff will support you after surgery. While the most rapid weight loss occurs during the months after surgery, reaching your realistic healthy weight may take a year or two. In addition to routine follow-up appointments, you will work with dietitians to help you change the way that you eat. Group Health encourages patients to participate in support groups before and after the surgery.

Our Bariatric Surgeons

• Steven Bock, MD
• Jeffrey Landers, MD

Care Locations and Appointments

Group Health's Bariatric Surgery Program is based at our Bellevue clinic and works with patients across the state.

• Bellevue Medical Center

If you are interested in bariatric surgery, the first step is to make an appointment with your primary care physician. Your personal physician can fill out the initial checklist and submit it to Group Health's Clinical Review Unit.

If you have questions about your health plan's coverage for bariatric surgery, contact Customer Service.