Life-changing weight loss

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

Start Your Journey

Once you've watched the webinar, schedule your consultation or call 714-771-8298.

Bariatric Surgery

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange
1100 W Stewart Dr, Orange, CA 92868
1962.1 miles away
714-771-8298
714-771-8298
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Bariatric Surgery

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Start Your Journey Services Am I A Candidate? Trusted Expertise Insurance Coverage
Start Your Journey

More energy. Better health. Greater well-being. There’s so much to gain from losing the weight. We can help you achieve it. St Joseph Hospital is one of Southern California’s most experienced and respected bariatric surgery hospitals.

The accredited Bariatric Surgery Program at St. Joseph Hospital takes a holistic approach to care that encompasses total wellness — body, mind and spirit. We provide physical, nutritional, emotional and spiritual care before, during and after your bariatric surgery to support your long-term success.

Ready to take the next step?

1. 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 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.

3. Get more information: Fill out the form and we will email you our welcome packet and follow up with a phone call to discuss next steps.

4. For questions, contact us at 714-771-8298.

The Bariatric Surgery Program offers several surgical options, as well as ongoing education and support for every patient. Our services include:

  • Surgery
    • Gastric banding
    • Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
    • Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
    • Revision bariatric surgery
  • Informational seminars
  • Patient resources, including a certified bariatric registered nurse that will help guide patients along their weight loss journey
  • Family resources
  • Support groups
  • Nutrition education
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Pre-op physician-supervised weight loss program
  • Exercise, yoga and body conditioning information

According to guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery if at least one of the following applies to you:

  • You weigh 100 or more pounds over ideal body weight
  • Your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 40, or greater than 35 if you also have a serious weight-related health condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea or hypertension
  • You have weight-related problems and restrictions in mobility, work and performance of family responsibilities
  • Calculate BMI

St. Joseph Hospital's Bariatric Surgery Program surgical prerequisites include the following:

  • You must be between 18 and 65 years old.
  • You must have no history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past three years.
  • You must be a non-smoker.
  • You must undergo a medical evaluation and workup to ensure that you are in the best possible condition prior to surgery.
  • You must undergo a psychiatric evaluation for stability and demonstrate a clear understanding of the procedure, responsibilities, reasonable outcomes and post-surgical expectations and guidelines.
  • You must undergo a series of dietary education classes and complete all classes prior to your surgery date.
  • You must demonstrate a commitment and readiness for a lifestyle change before surgery by modifying behavior and eating habits to ensure successful, long-term weight loss
  • You must be willing to participate fully in our multidisciplinary bariatric program.
  • You must agree to long-term follow up with your bariatric surgeon after your weight loss surgery.

Our experienced bariatric surgeons have performed nearly 3,000 bariatric procedures, and work with a multidisciplinary team to help you achieve long-term weight loss success. Our team of experts includes:

  • Surgeon
  • Psychiatrist/psychologist
  • Registered dietitian
  • Physical therapist
  • Exercise physiologist
  • Meditation/spirituality specialist
  • Acute-care surgical and post-op team
  • Program coordinator

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

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

Women's Choice Award for Best Hospitals - Bariatric Surgery

Aetna® Institutes of Quality® - Bariatric Surgery

See All Recognition

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 body weight overall. 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 lose 60% or more of their excess weight after bariatric surgery.

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.

 

“I was close to 300 pounds when I started the process and had surgery at 269 pounds. At no time did anyone at St. Joseph Hospital make me feel like I had an issue for having obesity. ”

Kate N.

Providence Patient

See Full Story
 

“I look at all the things in my life that have changed for the good and am so grateful. It’s amazing that weight loss truly did give me back my life.”

Renee P.

Providence Patient

See Full Story

Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to improving the overall quality of your health, losing excess weight could help you sleep better, have more energy and a more positive outlook.

It may also prevent or improve some obesity-related conditions, including:

  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Depression
  • Heart and lung disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Liver disease
  • Migraines
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Joint pain
  • Type 2 diabetes

Requirements may differ based on your health condition and insurance rules.

You might be a candidate for weight loss surgery if:

  • You have a body mass index (BMI) over 40 or a BMI of 35-40 with obesity-related conditions like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or high cholesterol.
  • You have no endocrine causes of obesity.
  • Your risk for surgery is acceptable.
  • You understand the surgery and its risks.
  • You have no drug or alcohol problems.
  • You have no uncontrolled psychological conditions.
  • You have been unsuccessful with other attempts at medical weight loss through diets or other lifestyle options.

You might not be a candidate if:

  • You have a current drug or alcohol problem.
  • You use tobacco or nicotine products.
  • You have uncontrolled psychological conditions.
  • You plan to become pregnant in the next 18 months.
  • Your surgeon determines that you’re not healthy enough for surgery.

After surgery, you’ll spend one or two nights in the hospital. You’ll meet for regular check-ins with your care team at least every 12 weeks for the first year.

Then, we recommend following up with the team each year, or more often if needed.

After you watch the weight loss surgery webinar, it’s best to reach out to your insurance provider and see if you’re covered.

Access the webinar.

After you verify your weight loss surgery benefits, call our clinic at the number above to discuss your next steps. If you’re ready to move forward, we can schedule your initial visits to determine if surgery is right for you.

If you don’t have weight loss surgery insurance benefits, you do have the option to self-finance your procedure and pay for treatment with cash or a credit card.

Looking for a Different Location?

Expert Health and Nutrition Tips

Growing up healthy: The unique needs of children 6 – 12 years old
4/2/2025
Learn essential health tips for children ages 6 to 12, including developmental milestones, vaccinations and the importance of sleep and physical activity.
6 tips to help your family eat healthy
3/26/2025
Hoping to turn over a new leaf with your family’s eating? Providence registered dietitian Debrin Cohen offers tips to improve their eating habits.
Learn about anorexia: Symptoms and treatments
2/24/2025
Discover key information on anorexia, including symptoms, causes and available treatments. Get the facts and learn how to find help and support with Providence.
Understanding gastroparesis and the connection to cancer
Gastroparesis can complicate the management of cancer, particularly in patients undergoing chemotherapy.