Bariatric & Metabolic Weight Loss
3366 Oakdale Ave. N
Suite 200
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
With bariatric weight loss surgery, it’s not just what you lose, but what you gain. For those who qualify for bariatric surgery, weight loss isn’t just about the numbers on the scale or the size on your clothes tags. It can help reduce the risk of other conditions or help you manage ones you may already have, such as Type 2 diabetes. Lose weight quickly and safely, create sustainable change in your life, and celebrate a healthier you.
To speak with a member of our clinical team and learn more about our program, call 763-581-3762.
The North Memorial Health Advantage
- We are an accredited Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) because we meet the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care.
- We work as a comprehensive care team to make sure you receive care for your whole self, with the support you need and deserve before, during, and after surgery.
- Our bariatrics patients have lost an average of 72 pounds.
- More than 90 percent of our patients with diabetes are able to reduce their medications, and of those, greater than 87 percent are in total remission after one year.
- We offer minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. These options may help reduce discomfort after surgery and recovery time.
- We help you determine not only what “healthy” specifically looks like to you, but also to create sustainable change, improving your overall quality of life.
- We offer options for patients without insurance or those with limited insurance benefits.
- We offer a monthly support group meeting to those in our program at all stages in their journey.
- The Women’s Choice Award ranked North Memorial Health in the top nine percent of hospitals in Bariatrics in 2023. This recognition is unique in that it combines national accreditations, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results and hospital outcome scores with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.
Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Guide
This guide aims to answer many of your questions around surgery as you look to begin your weight loss journey.
Topics in the guide include:
- Getting started in our program
- Understanding your insurance coverage
- A checklist to surgery
- Understanding obesity
- Considerations and requirements for surgery
- Goals and benefits of surgery
- Types of surgeries performed in our program
- Pre-surgery goals
- Pre- and post-surgery exercise guidance
Download Our Free Guide
Start Your Journey
Interested in beginning your weight loss journey? Start here.
Begin your weight loss surgery journey by watching this 30-minute video. The video will give you a clear understanding of the Bariatric and Metabolic weight loss surgery program offered at North Memorial Health, including the types of procedures available, the process leading up to the surgery and the lifestyle changes after the surgery.
To move to the next step in your weight loss surgery journey, you must view this video in its entirety. Once the video is complete, you will be asked to fill out a brief form notifying our care team to contact you to discuss next steps.
Roadmap to Surgery
Steps throughout preoperative bariatric surgery program
1. Online Video
View online informational video and complete brief form to notify care team to contact you to discuss next steps.
2. Insurance Verification
Insurance information will be obtained and verification of benefits completed.
3. Initial Consult
Initial consult with surgery team to determine plan of care throughout preoperative program. Insurance guidelines, required appointments, and habits/lifestyle changes reviewed.
4. Preoperative Preparation
Preparing for surgery with completion of required appointments and developing habits/lifestyle changes. Clearance to proceed with surgery from all providers obtained throughout required appointments.
5. Surgeon Visit
Meet with surgeon for final visit prior to surgery.
6. Insurance Prior Authorization Approval
Submission of documents throughout preoperative preparation program to insurance to obtain prior authorization. Once prior authorization is obtained surgery date is scheduled.
7. Surgery
Surgery at North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital.
Conditions & Care Options
Learn more about your condition and how it may be treated at North Memorial Health.
List of Conditions
List of Services
Behavioral Health
Fitness Classes
Health & Wellness Education
Home Visit Follow-up
Nutrition Counseling
Monthly Support Group Meetings
List of Surgeries
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Considerations and Requirements
Committing to a lifelong lifestyle change
Bariatric surgery is just one step on the journey to your health-related goals. It will help you feel full quicker, making it easier to eat less and allow you to rapidly lose weight in most cases.
You will need to be committed to a lifelong change in your lifestyle including eating a healthy diet, daily exercise, and daily vitamin supplementation.
Other special considerations and requirements:
- Establish care with a primary care provider and be considered healthy enough for surgery.
- Participate in long-term follow up care.
- Good support system in family or friends.
- No nicotine use or any inhalants for at least 8 weeks prior to surgery (prefer 6 months) and a commitment to lifelong abstinence.
- No active chemical or alcohol dependency issues.
- No planned pregnancy for two years, appropriate contraception to be used in the meantime, two methods being preferred.
- If you have a history of cancer, this must be in remission and be cleared by your treating oncologist.
- Prequalified by your insurance company.
- Not currently experiencing organ failure or on an organ transplant waiting list.
Frequently Asked Questions
We ask that you call your health insurance company to find out if weight loss surgery is covered and any requirements you will need to complete prior to your procedure.
Call the telephone number on your membership card and use the following as a guide to help you get a clear idea of your coverage. Take note of the date and time of your call, representative spoken to, and reference number of representative. Here is a list of questions to ask your insurance provider before surgery:
- Is bariatric (weight loss) surgery covered under my insurance plan if I meet all the criteria needed to have surgery?
- Is North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital in network and covered under my insurance plan?
- Is laparoscopic __________(insert name of surgery) covered? Choose from: Roux-en-y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy
- Is nutrition counseling a covered service?
- What is my maximum out-of-pocket?
- What is my deductible?
The person you speak with may need the following information:
Diagnosis code: E66.01
CPT codes:
- Roux-en-y gastric bypass: 43644
- Sleeve gastrectomy: 43775
Nutrition Counseling
- 97802
- 97803
In some cases, we offer financing for bariatric surgery. Call 763-581-4364 for more information.
Results can vary from person to person. Consult with your surgeon regarding your weight-related medical conditions and how weight loss surgery can help you.
Care Team
Our highly trained experts empower you with the knowledge and the support you need to get the healthcare you want.
Jonathan Gipson, MD, FACS
Munyaradzi Chimukangara, MD, FACS
Erin Worden, MD
Lucian Panait, MD
Vishal Kudav, MD
Rachel D. Miller, PA-C
Elizabeth Becker, APRN/AGNP-C
Kelly Leier, RN, BSN
Sarah Lippert, MD, FACS
Partnership Practices
Minnesota Bariatric Center
Minnesota Bariatric Center provides state-of-the-art comprehensive obesity treatments, ranging from weight loss medication to advanced surgical procedures.
Bhatti GI
Bhatti GI is a comprehensive weight loss practice offering medical, endoscopic and surgical solutions for patients who suffer from obesity and related illnesses.
Specialists in General Surgery (SGS)
We provide the tools to help you be successful with surgical weight loss and guide you through the process before and after surgery. Providing bariatric surgery at North Memorial Health since 2014.