Life-changing weight loss

Getting to a healthier weight is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Swedish can help.

Determine Your Insurance Coverage

Call 206-215-2090 for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Weight Loss Services

Our Approach

Many individuals know that they need to lose weight but are often unsure which weight loss option is best for them. At Swedish Weight Loss Services – part of Swedish Digestive Health Institute – we offer personalized multidisciplinary care from your initial visit to diagnosis to recovery.

Our compassionate team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dietitians, psychologists and staff members encourage and support you every step of the way. Together, we deliver weight loss service options tailored to fit individual needs, empowering you to achieve your weight loss goals and regain control of your health.

Whether you choose our bariatric surgery program, one of our medical weight loss options like GLP-1 medication or a combination treatment plan, Swedish collaborates with you to:

  • Review, educate, discuss and determine the best weight loss program for success
  • Customize a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle
  • Offer patient resources like insurance and financing options and support groups
Ready to take the next step?

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

Many insurance plans cover bariatric surgery, especially for patients with a BMI of at least 40, or 35 with other health issues.

Contact us and we'll help you understand your insurance coverage.

Our Services

Surgical Services Medical Weight Loss Services
Surgical Services

Our nationally accredited bariatric surgery program often provides life-changing surgical outcomes. Our approach includes:

Making weight loss surgery successful requires hard work and a commitment to specific lifestyle changes. Although weight loss surgery is extremely safe, there is a risk with any surgery.

Our medical weight loss program is designed to help with weight management. The duration of the program can vary from person to person because we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we customize a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.

We aim to be comprehensive in our care and take an evidence-based approach to treating excess weight and obesity. We use nutrition, physical activity, behavior modification and medication to help improve your quality of life and reduce chronic disease risk. In many cases, we’ll also recommend bariatric surgery, particularly if you’re hoping to lose at least 20% of your total body weight or improve other weight-related medical problems.

Weight Loss Surgery at Swedish

When it comes to weight loss surgery, you have choices. Swedish helps tailor a program to your weight loss goals.

Watch the webinar and then work with our staff to evaluate whether surgery is right for you.

Watch Webinar Now

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.

Find Care That's Close to You

Providers Specializing in Weight Loss Services

At Swedish, 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

Designated as an Accredited Comprehensive Center for bariatric surgery by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Patient Stories

Before Amy decided to have weight loss surgery, she’d already lost on her own – and then gained back – 100 pounds, three times. “I’d given up,” she says. “I decided I would just be fat.” So it wasn’t, technically, her weight that led her to surgery. What she hadn’t given up on was being able to move and be active. Amy suffered a hip injury that led to chronic pain, with a rapid loss of mobility and depression. “It was scary for me, to be on that precipice,” Amy says. “I realized I’d have to make changes or spend the rest of my life sitting. My health would deteriorate. My world would get smaller. I was at rock bottom, and I really needed help.”

Headshot of Amy, Swedish Weight Loss patient
Amy
Swedish Weight Loss Patient

Before Amy decided to have weight loss surgery, she’d already lost on her own – and then gained back – 100 pounds, three times. “I’d given up,” she says. “I decided I would just be fat.” So it wasn’t, technically, her weight that led her to surgery. What she hadn’t given up on was being able to move and be active. Amy suffered a hip injury that led to chronic pain, with a rapid loss of mobility and depression. “It was scary for me, to be on that precipice,” Amy says. “I realized I’d have to make changes or spend the rest of my life sitting. My health would deteriorate. My world would get smaller. I was at rock bottom, and I really needed help.”

Weight loss surgery isn’t a quick fix, but it’s a great tool. It’s definitely a lifestyle change, and you have to be prepared. You can absolutely gain the weight back if you don’t change your habits. But if you commit to it, it can change your life in a way that is almost unimaginable.
Headshot of Tony, Swedish Weight Loss patient
Tony
Swedish Weight Loss Patient
Weight loss surgery isn’t a quick fix, but it’s a great tool. It’s definitely a lifestyle change, and you have to be prepared. You can absolutely gain the weight back if you don’t change your habits. But if you commit to it, it can change your life in a way that is almost unimaginable.
Jennifer considered weight loss surgery when she was in her 20s, but the cost wasn't covered by insurance. "I put the idea on hold and went on with life," she said. Over the years, Jennifer struggled with acid reflux, developed hypertension and prediabetes and even came close to developing Type 2 diabetes. When she started working at Providence Health, she learned that her new insurance would cover weight loss surgery and chose to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. “There are so many things I never thought about doing before, like going for walks, exercising at a gym and traveling. I've already started taking road trips. And now that I can fit comfortably in airplane seats, I'm excited to explore the possibility of flying. I feel free to enjoy life in a whole new way,” she said. Read more of Jennifer’s story.
Jennifer Tukey
Jennifer
Swedish Weight Loss Patient
Jennifer considered weight loss surgery when she was in her 20s, but the cost wasn't covered by insurance. "I put the idea on hold and went on with life," she said. Over the years, Jennifer struggled with acid reflux, developed hypertension and prediabetes and even came close to developing Type 2 diabetes. When she started working at Providence Health, she learned that her new insurance would cover weight loss surgery and chose to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. “There are so many things I never thought about doing before, like going for walks, exercising at a gym and traveling. I've already started taking road trips. And now that I can fit comfortably in airplane seats, I'm excited to explore the possibility of flying. I feel free to enjoy life in a whole new way,” she said. Read more of Jennifer’s 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.

Yes. If you don’t meet the qualifications listed above, you could still consider a medical weight loss program.