Bariatric Surgery
for Weight Loss

Get ready to start your new life. If you’ve struggled for years to lose weight without success, bariatric surgery offers a proven way to combat obesity and transform your life.

Northwest Specialty Hospital is home to the only bariatric surgery program in North Idaho. Here, you’ll find a full complement of minimally invasive weight-loss surgeries, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Plus, our entire team from the Northwest Digestive Center will support you at every stage of your weight-loss journey.

Comprehensive bariatric surgery program in Post Falls

We know that the decision to have bariatric surgery is deeply personal and emotional. Our team will give you the tools and information you need so you’ll feel prepared and comfortable.

You’ll receive care from fellowship-trained, board-certified bariatric surgeons, physician assistants, dietitians, mental health specialists, program coordinators and insurance coordinators. Together, we’ll care for all your medical and surgical needs. You can even complete your entire pre-surgery preparation here at Northwest Specialty Hospital, saving you time.

Why choose Northwest Specialty Hospital for Weight-Loss Surgery?

State-of-the-art care. We offer minimally invasive approaches to gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. These small-scar approaches promote less blood loss, fewer days in the hospital and faster recovery. Patients often leave the hospital the day after their procedure.

An Open MRI. Northwest Hosptial Center now features the OASIS Velocity High-Field Open MRI by Fujiflim. For bariatric patients, Velocity’s high weight capacity and wide patient table ensure comfort and stability during imaging scans.

Exceptional safety. You’ll receive care in a safe, clean environment. Our infection rate is 13 times better than the national average. We sanitize our surgical suite using a germ-zapping robot (the Xenex LightStrike Robot) equipped with an ultraviolet light that kills pathogens.

A highly personalized patient experience. Our compassionate team has designed our care around your unique needs. That’s why we rank in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for patient satisfaction by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here, you’ll feel at home and get treated with respect. We’re also recognized as one of the top hospitals in Idaho — and the recipient of the Patient Satisfaction Award — by Newsweek.

Will insurance cover my bariatric surgery?

Northwest Specialty Hospital is contracted with most major insurance providers. Your eligibility for bariatric surgery will be based in part on the requirements of your insurance plan. We offer some of the most competitive prices in the Pacific Northwest. You can choose from several financing options designed to meet your budget and needs.

Types of weight-loss surgery available in North Idaho

We offer bariatric surgery to people throughout the Inland Northwest who battle with obesity and related conditions, including high blood pressure, sleep apnea and diabetes. The type of weight-loss surgery you need will be determined in partnership with your physician, along with your family and friends. All our bariatric surgeries are performed minimally invasively, requiring an overnight hospital stay.

Bariatric gastric sleeve surgery

A vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG surgery) can help people lose 60% of their excess weight on average after two years. During a gastric sleeve procedure, the surgeon reduces your stomach to about 20% to 25% of its original size. This helps reduce the amount of calories a person can consume. VSG surgery also decreases the sensation of hunger. It is an irreversible procedure.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery (bypass stomach surgery) can help people lose 70% of their excess weight on average after two years. During a Roux-en-Y laparoscopic bariatric surgery, a surgeon creates a small stomach pouch, designed to restrict food intake. The surgeon then connects a section of the small intestine to the new pouch, allowing food to bypass the lower stomach and part of the small intestine. This reduces calorie and nutrient absorption and decreases the sensation of hunger. It is an irreversible procedure.

Lap-Band Explants and Revisional Bariatric Surgeries

If you previously had a Lap-Band (adjustable gastric band) and want it removed, our team can perform the explant procedure. We also perform revisional bariatric surgery to modify or alter a prior gastric sleeve or gastric bypass procedure.

Do I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?

You may benefit from bariatric surgery if you:

• Have a BMI (body mass index) >35 with co-morbidities (obesity-related diseases)
• Have a BMI >40 without co-morbidities (check with your insurance company to verify)
• Have failed in prior attempts to lose weight
• Feel healthy enough to undergo a major operation
• Do not have any drug or alcohol problems
• Commit to lifetime smoking cessation
• Understand the surgery and its risks
• Commit to long-term lifestyle change and lifetime follow-ups

Getting Started: 7 Steps Toward Bariatric Surgery

1. Watch the online seminar (below).
2. Send your new patient paperwork to nwsh.nwdc@nwsh.com
3. Obtain insurance verification.
4. We’ll contact you to schedule your first appointment. Allow 7-14 days for us to process your new patient paperwork.
5. Consult with our bariatric surgeon and dietitian
6. Complete our Bariatric Program and insurance requirements
7. Complete pre-surgery testing, including an EGD, EKG, labs, ultrasound and a mental health evaluation

Weight-loss Surgery Success Stories

Get inspired by local people who have enjoyed the many benefits of life after bariatric surgery.