This department offers
- Bariatric surgery
- Foregut surgery
- Gastric band removal
- Medical weight loss
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Upper GI surgery
- Weight loss and bariatrics
- Weight loss surgery
A holistic approach to weight loss, meeting the unique needs of each patient
Our board-certified bariatric surgeons provide comprehensive weight loss solutions—including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, SADI, GLP-1 medications, and other medical weight loss options. We serve patients from Salt Lake City and across Utah, helping you achieve lasting results with a holistic, patient-centered approach. You don’t have to do this alone. Our team will walk with you every step of the way—from your first consultation to lifelong follow-up care.
Ready to get started? Call for a free consultation.
Surgery or medications? Choosing the right path for you
We help you choose the tools that best match your goals, health needs, and preferences. Some patients benefit most from metabolic/bariatric surgery, while others are better suited for medical management and medications like GLP-1s.
At The COARD, the goal isn’t to push patients toward surgery or medications—it’s to match each person with the right tool at the right time. We consider:
- BMI and body composition
- Personal health goals
- Metabolic disease severity
- Prior weight-loss attempts
- Overall medical risk
- Patient preference
- Insurance coverage
Bariatric surgery is best for patients who:
- Have BMI ≥ 40, or BMI ≥ 35 with related diseases
- Want the most effective and long-lasting weight-loss tool
- Have type 2 diabetes that’s hard to control
- Have tried medications or GLP-1s without lasting success
- Have severe GERD or hiatal hernia benefiting from surgical correction
- Want significant improvement in conditions such as sleep apnea, fatty liver, hypertension, and diabetes
Typical results from bariatric surgery:
- 25–35% total body weight loss
- Highest rates of disease remission (diabetes, sleep apnea, fatty liver)
Medical management (GLP-1s & other medications) is best for patients who:
- Have BMI 27–40 and prefer a non-surgical starting point
- Have early metabolic disease (prediabetes, mild hypertension)
- Want a less invasive option
- Need medication to jump-start weight loss
- Cannot undergo surgery due to medical risk
- Have post-surgical weight regain and need support
Typical results:
- 10–20% total body weight loss
- Effective at improving metabolic markers and appetite regulation
No matter which treatment path you choose, lifestyle comes first
Lifestyle is the foundation of treatment—before medication, before surgery, and for long-term success afterward. Every patient begins with our Intensive Lifestyle Modification Program, built on our framework of Education, Empowerment, Accountability (EEA).
We believe lasting success begins with lifestyle change—nutrition, movement, and mental health. But change is hard to do alone. That’s why we use our EEA framework to support you every step of the way.
- Education – Understand how obesity affects health and how to make changes.
- Empowerment – Gain confidence and the tools to take control of your health.
- Accountability – Support and check-ins to keep you motivated.
Your journey, step by step
Your journey begins with a consultation to learn about your health history, goals, and challenges. Together, we create a personalized plan that works for you.
It starts with listening
Your journey begins with a one-on-one consultation. We learn about your health history, your goals, and the challenges you’ve faced. Together, we create a personalized plan that works for you.
Building a strong foundation
We believe long-term success begins with lifestyle change. That’s why we use our EEA Framework:
- Education – Understand how nutrition, movement, and metabolism affect your health.
- Empowerment – Gain confidence and tools to take charge of your journey.
- Accountability – Regular support from our team to keep you on track.
Medical tools to support change
Sometimes lifestyle change needs an extra boost. When appropriate, we offer medical therapies (such as GLP-1 medications) to help with appetite control, blood sugar management, and weight loss — always as part of a bigger plan for lasting health.
Powerful options for long-term success
If lifestyle and medical tools aren’t enough, we may recommend bariatric surgery. At The COARD, we offer:
- Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
- SADI-S and duodenal switch
Each procedure is tailored to your health needs. Bariatric surgery can extend life, resolve diabetes, improve heartburn, and restore quality of life.
We’ll help you decide if surgery is the right tool for you.
Your lifelong partners in health
Your journey doesn’t end after surgery or medication. We stay with you for the long run:
- Regular check-ins with our team
- Nutrition and exercise support
- Emotional and behavioral health care
- Community and group resources
At The COARD, you’ll never walk this path alone.
What we treat
- Obesity. Obesity management includes medical weight loss programs, lifestyle coaching, nutrition guidance, and access to the latest FDA-approved medications like GLP‑1s.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy. Our specialists address underlying hormonal imbalances to optimize metabolic function, energy, and mood.
- Foregut Diseases. We offer advanced evaluation and treatment of esophageal and stomach disorders—heartburn, GERD, hiatal hernias, and achalasia.
- Gastroparesis. Our specialists treat gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), helping patients manage symptoms like nausea, bloating, and fullness.
- Abdominal wall hernias. Complex and routine abdominal wall hernias are expertly repaired using the latest reconstructive techniques.
- Inguinal hernias. Our surgeons perform minimally invasive or open inguinal hernia repairs with cutting-edge mesh and laparoscopic techniques.
- Gallbladder diseases. Our specialists diagnose and treat gallbladder disease—including gallstones, cholecystitis, and biliary pain—via minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
I can play with my kids again without getting winded. This program gave me back my life.
— COARD Patient
Our team, by your side
With nationally recognized and specialty trained providers, we offer the most comprehensive, personalized healthcare available. Our team approach brings together experts from multiple specialties to give you personalized care and ongoing support.
- Bariatric & Foregut Surgeons – Specialists in weight loss and reflux surgery
- Nurse Practitioners / Physician Assistants – Day-to-day support and medical management
- Dietitians – Nutrition strategies that fit your lifestyle
- Behavioral Health Specialists – Tools for mindset, motivation, and emotional wellness
- Exercise Physiologists – Safe, personalized movement plans
Obesity and weight loss FAQs
Let us help you to feel confident and informed about your journey.
Understanding obesity
Is obesity really a disease?
- Yes. Obesity is a chronic, complex disease that affects metabolism, hormones, and nearly every organ system. It is not a matter of willpower alone.
Why does obesity affect quality of life?
- Over time, obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, sleep apnea, joint pain, and reduced mobility. It can shorten lifespan and limit daily function — but with treatment, these risks can be reduced.
How the COARD works
What makes The COARD different?
- We take a holistic approach. Lifestyle change is the foundation, supported by our EEA framework — Education, Empowerment, Accountability. If needed, we offer medical and surgical options to help patients succeed.
Do I have to have surgery to be in the program?
- No. Many patients benefit from lifestyle and medical tools alone. Surgery is one option, not the only option.
Key benefits of our bariatric program
- Accredited, experienced surgical team
- Comprehensive pre- and post-surgery support
- Personalized nutrition and behavioral counseling
- Proven long-term weight loss results
- Insurance and financial counseling
Bariatric surgery basics
What types of surgery do you offer?
- Sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y), and SADI.
Is bariatric surgery safe?
- Yes. Modern bariatric surgery is as safe as gallbladder or appendix surgery. Like any surgery, there are risks (bleeding, infection, leaks, nutritional deficiencies), but serious complications are uncommon in experienced centers like ours.
How much weight will I lose?
- Most patients lose 60–80% of their excess weight, but results vary. Success depends on following lifestyle changes alongside surgery.
Will I gain weight back?
- Some regain is possible, but with long-term support and accountability, most patients maintain significant, lasting weight loss.
Did you know?
- Bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers—and may extend life expectancy by up to 10 years.
Results you can expect
Does surgery cure diabetes?
- For many, yes. Surgery often sends type 2 diabetes into remission and can extend lifespan by nearly 10 years compared with medical management (Lancet 2021).
Will surgery help with my heartburn?
- For patients with obesity and reflux, gastric bypass is highly effective in improving or resolving symptoms.
What about other conditions like high blood pressure or sleep apnea?
- These often improve or even resolve after significant weight loss.
- Most insurance plans cover bariatric surgery if patients meet criteria (such as BMI and related health conditions). Our team will help with the approval process.
Do I still see the team after surgery?
- Yes. We provide long-term follow-up with dietitians, behavioral health, and medical providers to help ensure your success.
Is this really a lifelong commitment?
- Yes — and that’s what makes it work. But you’ll never walk this journey alone.
How long is recovery?
- Most patients stay 1–2 nights in the hospital and return to normal activities within 2–4 weeks.
Will I need to take vitamins after surgery?
- Yes. Lifelong vitamin supplementation is essential to prevent deficiencies.
My diabetes is gone, and I finally have energy again!
— COARD Patient