Life-changing weight loss

Watch our on-demand webinar to see if weight loss surgery is right for you. 

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Once you have watched the webinar, complete our intake form or call 406-329-5866 to schedule a consultation.

Bariatric Services

Providence St. Patrick Hospital
500 W Broadway St, 4th Floor, Missoula, MT 59802
7340.1 miles away
406-329-5866
406-329-5866
Fax: 406-329-5864
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bariatric Services

Providence St. Patrick Hospital
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Start Your Journey Services Am I a Candidate? Meet Our Surgeons Insurance Coverage
Start Your Journey

There’s so much to gain from losing weight. More energy. Better health. Greater well-being. We can help you achieve it. Providence St. Patrick Hospital offers comprehensive surgical and non-surgical weight loss programs that are tailored to your personal health goals and preferences.

We understand that losing weight (and keeping it off) is easier said than done. Our bariatric team understands the complex genetic, biologic, environmental, social and behavioral factors that contribute to obesity. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to surgery for weight loss. Our team includes experienced weight loss surgeons, compassionate nurses and knowledgeable dietitians to help support your whole health.

Our team is honored to work with patients from across western Montana – from Missoula to Kalispell; Helena to Butte; Bozeman to Great Falls. We’re proud to serve as the region’s premier weight loss surgery center.

Take the next step

Ready to take control of your weight instead of letting it control you? We’re here to help.

  1. The first step is to register for our free on-demand webinar about surgical weight loss. This webinar will explain the basics of weight loss surgery and what options are available to you.
  2. After you watch the videos, check with your health insurance plan to find out if your policy covers weight loss surgery at Providence hospitals.
  3. Complete our intake form to begin the process of scheduling a consultation.

Bariatric surgery has seen many advances over the last few years – offering more and more minimally invasive options. That means fewer incisions, less pain and a shorter recovery time. Our bariatric surgeons offer two weight loss procedures:

  • Gastric bypass surgery. The gold standard in weight loss surgery is the Roux-en-Y (roo-en-way) gastric bypass. (It’s also the most common.) This procedure creates a small pouch in your stomach, which is connected directly to the small intestine. This limits the amount of food you can comfortably eat and the amount of nutrients and calories your body absorbs.
  • Gastric sleeve surgery. During gastric sleeve surgery (also known as sleeve gastrectomy), your surgeon will remove about three-fourths of your stomach and reshape what’s left into a “sleeve.” Your smaller stomach makes you feel full sooner and greatly reduces how much food you can eat.

At Providence, we understand that weight loss surgery isn’t for everyone. We also offer healthy weight management services that can help you reach and maintain your goal weight without surgery.

Request our free on-demand webinar to learn more about weight loss surgery.

Support groups

We offer bariatric support group meetings from 6 - 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month.

Choosing to have weight loss surgery is an important and very personal decision. At Providence, our goal is to provide knowledge and support as you consider your options.

We know bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone. That’s why we will complete a comprehensive evaluation to identify the best weight loss approach for you. Our doctors will meet with you to learn about your goals and your health history. Most surgical weight loss candidates are between the ages of 18-64 and have specific body mass index (BMI) requirements based on their gender:

  • Women: BMI of 40-60, or BMI of 35 or higher and a weight-related health condition
  • Men: BMI of 40-55, or BMI of 35 or higher and a weight-related health condition
  • Calculate BMI

Weight gain can lead to obesity, which can cause other serious health problems, including:

  • Fatty liver disease
  • Gout
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Osteoarthritis
  • And many others

Many of the individuals we work with report that they were able to come off one or more medicines that manage chronic health conditions. (Remember, keep taking all prescriptions until your doctor tells you otherwise.)

When evaluating whether surgery is right for you, we’ll discuss your options and work side-by-side to create your personal plan. And if you exceed the maximum BMI requirement, we can help you reach a healthier weight before surgery so you’ll be well prepared.

Request our free on-demand webinar to learn more about weight loss surgery.

Deron MD

Deron Ludwig MD, FACS, FASMBS

Dr. Ludwig is the Bariatric Medical Director at St. Patrick Hospital. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and has received the Focused Practice Designation for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Dr. Ludwig firmly believes in pre-operative education, postoperative support, and long-term follow-up to enhance success and minimize problems.

  • Why Bariatrics?
  • Meet Deron Ludwig, MD, FACS, FASMBS
  • Meet Brad Pickhardt, MD, FACS

Read more information about surgery from our experts:

After you watch the webinar, check your insurance plan to ensure your policy covers weight loss surgery at Providence hospitals. While many insurance plans cover weight loss surgery, it’s important to understand your benefits – and how to receive them.

Find a Doctor

At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

Female doctor wearing mask, doctors in background

Recognition

St. Patrick Hospital is the only accredited center for weight loss surgery in western Montana. This is a testament to our commitment to our patients and a recognition of excellent outcomes, specialized care, educational support and aftercare.

American College of Surgeons - Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Accredited Bariatric Surgery Center

Weight Loss Surgery at Providence

When it comes to weight loss surgery, you have choices. Providence can help with a program tailored to your weight loss goals. Register for our on-demand webinar to learn more about your options.

Once you’ve watched the webinar, our staff will work with you to evaluate whether surgery is right for you.

Access Webinar

Learn about Injectable Weight Loss Medications

GLP-1 medications are a new, innovative class of injectable weight loss drugs. Explore how their criteria and results compare to the benefits of bariatric surgery.

This will help you start a conversation about medical weight loss with your primary care doctor. They can refer you to a medical weight loss expert – like a bariatrician or bariatric surgeon – for guidance on which option might be the best choice for you.

Woman exercising

You could be eligible for GLP-1s if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or higher.
  • Your BMI is 27 or higher and you have other medical conditions like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or sleep apnea.

By comparison, you qualify for bariatric surgery if:

  • Your BMI is 40 or higher.
  • Or your BMI is 35 or higher and you have other medical conditions like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or sleep apnea.

GLP-1s can be more accessible to patients who don’t qualify for bariatric surgery but still want a substantial weight loss solution.

However, on average, GLP-1s were tested on a population with lower BMIs. For example, they haven’t been tested on those with a BMI of over 45. So, if your BMI is 40 or higher, and you’re potentially considering the use of a GLP-1, it might not lower your risk of certain conditions – like heart disease or cancer – the same way as bariatric surgery.

GLP-1s help you lose weight gradually over time. You can expect moderate weight loss of 5-15% of your overall body weight. Once you reach your goal weight, you must keep taking the medication to maintain it.

With bariatric surgery, you’ll see weight loss more quickly in a larger amount. On average, patients may lose an average of 30% of their overall body weight.

Keep in mind that other factors, like lifestyle changes and eating habits, can affect how quickly you lose weight – no matter which weight loss option you choose.

If you’re considering medical weight loss, keep in mind that it could be a lifelong commitment.

Once you reach your goal weight with a GLP-1 medication, you need to keep taking it to maintain that weight. You also need regular monitoring from your physician.

It’s important to note that GLP-1s haven't been evaluated for long-term use. All studies have been for short-term use, so doctors don't currently know how long a patient is able to stay on a GLP-1.

Bariatric surgery is the only medical weight loss treatment that has been evaluated for long-term use and is proven to help sustain weight loss. The results of bariatric surgery are long-lasting, especially if you make the necessary lifestyle changes. This surgery also requires pre- and post-surgical care.

You’ll need to check with your insurance company. Some plans might cover GLP-1 medications but require prior authorization.

Bariatric surgery is generally covered by insurance if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Success Stories

Learn how patients are starting a new healthy chapter with bariatric surgery.

rachel-after-crop
Rachel's Story
Rachel decided to have a sleeve gastrectomy. She lost more than 100 pounds.
Read Rachel's Story
image-of-rebecca-after-weight-loss
Rebecca's Story

Rebecca had gastric bypass surgery and has never looked back. She lost 137 pounds.

Read Rebecca's Story
photo-collage-of-jenny-after-weight-loss
Jenny's Story

“It’s the best thing I have ever done for MYSELF, and I only wish that I would have done it sooner!” - Jenny

Read Jenny's Story
woman-stepping-on-scale
Annette's Story

Annette chose gastric bypass surgery. She lost more than 100 pounds.

Read Annette's Story

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