Bariatric Surgery

The nationally recognized Center for Bariatric Surgery at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center has transitioned to Southwest General Health Center.

Founded at St. Vincent in 1997, the Center was the first in northeast Ohio to achieve national accreditation and was recognized as a national center of excellence for 25 consecutive years. In addition to meeting all necessary criteria as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), the Center was recommended for a Best Practice in Patient Education Award, and the staff was applauded as a “dynamic team with excellent program leadership.”

Southwest General is proud to welcome the skilled and dedicated staff from St. Vincent as they relocate to the new Center for Bariatric Surgery at Southwest General. This multidisciplinary team features experienced bariatric surgeons, including program director, Leslie Pristas, DO, FACS, as well as nurses, operating room staff, psychologists, dietitians, patient advocates and more. In their new home at Southwest General, they will continue to work together to provide patients with the individualized care and attention necessary to help them reach their goals.

Additionally, the team and the patients they care for will have easy access to state-of-the art facilities and technology at Southwest General’s Surgical Pavilion and offices in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

Southwest General is honored to be the new home for the outstanding bariatric and weight-loss care once provided at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. As we welcome both staff and patients, we look forward to continuing the program’s award-winning legacy and to providing the life-changing care that will allow patients to live happier, healthier lives for themselves and their families.

Is weight loss surgery right for me? Do I have to be obese to qualify for surgery? What does my Body Mass Index mean? Am I really a candidate? We’ve helped thousands of people who have come to us from a variety of paths in their journey to weight loss.

Many of our patients have gained weight gradually over a few decades.

They are on the edge of medical obesity, and while they have lost some things in their life already, they face deeper challenges if they don’t stop their gradual weight gain. Some of our patients have struggled with weight their entire lives and are reaching the critical crossroads of a health crisis. In our experience, we’ve even seen patients who were once competitive athletes, but their lives changed direction just a few years ago—and a massive weight gain followed.

Everyone has their own unique path, but a basic Body Mass Index calculation can guide your exploration of weight loss options. Enter your BMI information below.