Mercy Bariatric Center - Joplin

Bariatric Surgery Joplin, MO

Tired of all the things you can't do because of your weight? Mercy's Bariatric Center in Joplin can change that. We're more than a surgery center. We'll guide and support you before, during and after your weight loss surgery to ensure your long-term success. Mercy Bariatric Center says "Yes, you can." At Mercy Bariatrics in Joplin, our team of leading experts is ready to help you meet your weight loss and health goals. We offer a comprehensive team approach for each patient. The services of dietitians, psychologists, specialized nurses and physicians working together helps patients achieve success with weight loss goals.

We provide a variety of bariatric procedures including gastric sleeve, gastric banding and gastric bypass. In addition to your primary care physician, we call on our psychologists, dietitians, physical therapists, cardiologists, pulmonologists and surgeons to ensure your success. Bariatric surgery is just one part of your lifelong commitment to better health-but we're here to help.

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatrics is simply the field of medicine focused on obesity, its causes, prevention and treatments. Bariatric surgery is divided into two different approaches to helping treat obesity: restrictive, where the stomach's size and capacity are reduced, and malabsorption, where the stomach's ability to absorb calories and nutrients is reduced.

Am I Eligible for Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is approved only for people over the age of 18 with either of the following:

• Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35
• BMI greater than 30 with a severe co-morbidity, such as: 
  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Sleep apnea
  • High blood pressure
  • Weight-related health problems 

Disclaimer: Bariatric surgery comes with other risks to consider, such as infection, poor wound healing and even death. You and your doctor should discuss these risks when you talk about the potential benefits of surgery.