Hope Bariatrics | Surgical Treatment for Weight Loss | Hope Bariatrics

The following information can help you decide if bariatric (weight loss) surgery is right for you.

Geoffrey H. Wilcox, MD, FACS

If you are 100 pounds overweight and struggle with morbid obesity and the related health problems, there is Hope. Weight loss surgeries are safe, effective procedures that are shown to achieve significant, long-term weight loss and improvement in health.

Hope Bariatrics is proud of the following designations and accreditations:

Accredited Comprehensive Center at Heritage Valley Sewickley with ASMBS and American College of Surgeons
Highmark Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery
OptumHealth Bariatric Center of Excellence
Aetna Institute of Quality for Bariatric Surgery

Our surgeon(s) are advanced laparoscopic surgeon(s) specializing in bariatric surgery since 2003. Meet Dr. Wilcox and the surgical team.

Jamie Dunn, PA-C

Our office is located in Sewickley, PA with hospital locations at Heritage Valley Sewickley.

To begin, click this link to view our online seminar. After you have viewed the seminar, complete the quiz. Be sure to submit it and include your contact information. Once we receive your results, someone from our office will call you. We will review the next step and answer all of your questions.

Or you can call our office at 412-741-8862, ext. 208 to register for our free informational seminar (dates are on the upcoming events section on the home page). Once you've attended, call to schedule your next step in the process.

Hope Bariatrics is proud to be an accredited center of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program

MBSAQIP works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgical centers. A bariatric surgical center achieves accreditation following a rigorous review process during which it proves that it can maintain certain physical resources, human resources, and standards of practice.

https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/mbsaqip

Online Seminar

After you have viewed the seminar, complete the quiz. Be sure to submit it and include your contact information. Once we receive your results someone from our office will call you. We will review the next step and answer all of your questions.

Start the Online Bariatric Seminar Online Seminar

Upcoming Events

Nov 12

SUPPORT GROUP by ZOOM 6 p.m.

Join us for our last support group of the year! Let's talk holiday challenges and tips to combat them. Call the office 412-741-8862 to register.

Your Journey Starts Today!

Watch this video and start the process of reclaiming your life!!

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Patient Testimonials

Angela - June 2012

In December of 2009 I made the decision that I had to change my life. I decided to take the journey of lifestyle change and begin a new chapter in my life. As an adolescent, teenager, and young adult, I struggled with weight and low self esteem daily. I thought that I would punch the next person who told me that "Angela, you have such a pretty face..." I heard enough of that and decided that I wanted to be healthy. Knowing that I was getting winded by simply running the sweeper or walking up and down steps, not having a bath towel fit around me, my stomach hitting the steering wheel of my car, my children drawing big circles for bodies and saying mommy its you, not being able to bend over...these were the reasons why I needed to change my life. June 2, 2010 was the happiest and scariest day of my life: The day I had my bariatric surgery and received the lap band. I was scared because I knew this was it...I had to change...no looking back...I was happy because this was it...I was going to change and there is no looking back. With the struggles throughout my life being teased by others, being embarrassed of the way I looked, hating the way I felt. I WAS READY. I tried everything from Formu-3; Weight Watchers, Herbalife, Xenadrine, Atipex...you name it I tried it. It may have worked for a minute, but the weight always came back. I was determined to make the changes I needed to make. When you are ready, change comes easier. I was an emotional eater, I needed to change that. I needed to find other ways to channel those feelings. So I did. I don't eat anymore when I am happy, sad, angry, upset...being 100% Italian doesn't make any of this any easier. I am not going to say there are not days when I want to stick my face into a Whopper or Big Mac...but I know today where that will get me. Right back to 226...a number that I will never let myself see again. I was addicted to food, just like others are addicted to drugs. When you are ready for change, change will happen. This is a lifetime commitment, a lifetime change, a behavior change, a food change...a change I can happily and confidently say was the best thing I ever did. Lap Band was the the final tool in my belt to give me what I needed to be successful. I listened to the dietitian...for the first time in my life...I remember everything she said to me...I tell others what she said to me...I practice what I was told about eating and chewing and not drinking while I eat. It all came together like pieces of a puzzle. My puzzle will never be complete as each day that goes by adds another piece...another successful day of change. Today, I am proud to say I weigh 130 pounds. I have never felt healthier in my life. I am so much more energetic, I enjoy looking in the mirror (maybe too much), I can keep up with my children who enjoy me so much more...and my relationship with my husband is so much better. He loves me regardless, but his smile is bigger and the hugs are tighter. I know it is different for him just like it is different for me. I had support from my family which was huge, as they seen me struggle every day. I am happy to say I am happy with me today.

Thank you to Hope Bariatrics, all the staff and Dr. Wilcox especially, for helping me change my life. None of this would have been possible with all of you and the confidence you instilled in me along my life changing journey!!!

Brittany - May 2012

...." today i finshed my first half marathon in under 3 hours! I don't think that i have ever been so excited before. I owe you guys so much thanks without your guys wonderful support i don't think i could have did this! This is a awesome accomplishment and i hope that everyone of your patients will realize that this is not easy but DO NOT GIVE UP! Here are some pictures of this wonderful day i wanted to share. Thanks so much again you guys have been a blessing."

Bill - December 2009

Numbers don't lie. Waist size 62 down to a 38 (and almost into a 36). Shirt size 5-6x down to a XXL. I've lost 208 pounds in less than a year. Had someone told me this last summer when I was 470 pounds and struggled to put shoes on, I would have laughed in your face.

I had tried every diet under the sun. Every one of them. Not a single one of them proved successful. I tried exercising. I tried everything. I was spiraling out of control. My portions were enormous. A Double-quarter pounder sandwich, TWO large fries, and TWO double cheeseburgers and a large Coke were the norm on a trip to McDonald's. A DiGiorno's pizza with a bag of shredded cheese on top was a meal, not to mention snacking while it was cooking.

To even think of those portions or that type of food today, however, makes me absolutely disgusted. Not only can I not eat that food, I won't.

In 2007, I had enough. As a truck driver, I was encountering trucks that I could not fit into. I was at the lowest point I had ever been. I kicked smoking in 2006, I quit dipping snuff in 2007, and quit sugar and carbonated drinks in 2008. In 2008, I was up to 12-24 cans of diet pop per day.

Something had to give. I made the decision that, after years of trying (and a lot of failing) I could not lose the weight on my own. I contacted Hope Bariatrics, desperate and scared. I figured if I could give up my addiction to caffeine, sugar, and fatty foods, I could do it for a lifetime. Enough was enough; there were people who weighed LESS than I did who died of a heart attack! The thought of my wife having to put me in a supersized coffin or being removed from my house by a crane was NOT what I wanted my final memory to be. What did I have to lose? Everything else failed, and I must admit I was a tad scared this may fail too. I had my share of advice from people and know-it-alls...Many people may say that surgery is the "easy" way out. Those are the same people who don't struggle with weight!

After the hoop jumping process my insurance company requires, I was scheduled for surgery. I was eating low fat foods, but still big portions. I was drinking 1-2 gallons of water a day. Every day. August 12, 2008 was the moment God and Dr. Felix and his staff gave me a new life. They enabled me to start over. Dr. Felix was my personal miracle worker. I literally owe my life to Dr. Felix and the Hope Bariatrics staff. EVERYONE at Hope Bariatrics treated me like gold from day one. I didn't get the "MY God he's huge" stares from anyone on the staff. No one talked down to me. No one made me feel bad about being 30 pounds shy of 500 pounds. Cindy is just as nice to me at 260 pounds as she was when I was 470. I love the staff!!! I can't say enough good things about them!!!

At almost one year post-op, I am often asked if I would do it again. Yes. Without hesitation I would. I went from 470 pounds to 260 pounds in less than a year. It is a lifelong commitment. Even at a year out, I am often asked if I miss junk food like pizza and McDonald's. Simply, no. I don't. The smell of McDonald's nauseates me now (seriously). Do I miss the all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants? No. Do I miss the pop? The tobacco? The caffeine? No. Not at all. I still am able to eat the good things, just in small quantities. There is a wonderful variety of no sugar added or sugar free "sweets" I had never noticed before while buying Oreos and sugared ice cream.....As for fast and processed foods? No way. I don't eat them. If I can succeed, anyone can!

Thank you to everyone at Hope Bariatrics for giving me my life back. With all of my heart, thank you all so much for everything.

Debbie - March 2009

It is hard to believe that it has been a year and that I went from 316 lbs. to 165 lbs. I never thought that would happen: a size 28 to 12! I never thought I would see a size 12, I thought I would be a 16 or 18. I can walk with my grandchildren without being out of breath, tired or my feet hurting! It is a blessing, thank you to all of you who have helped me to reach this place in my life. Each of you have been a blessing to me and such a help anytime I called. Thank you again for everything!

Chuck - December 2006

After almost three years, I have kept all the weight off and I am still doing very well. I weight 215 (pre-op weight was 568 lbs.) and feel fantastic! Dr. Felix and his staff are miracle workers in my book because it has been 2 and a half years and still feel great . . . the doctor and nurses were a great part of my inspiration along with my family. . . life is good !

     God bless
        and thanks again

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Bariatric Surgery may be an option.