The Center for Weight Management is a service of St. Joseph's Area Health Services and Essentia Health, with facilities located in Park Rapids, a growing, rural resort community in northwest Minnesota.
Patients come from North Dakota, Wisconsin, from all corners of Minnesota, and even Canada to undergo weight-loss surgical procedures at the Center for Weight Management.
Our recently unveiled medical center is the result of a 2-year $26 million building and renovation project. New state-of-the-art operating rooms and a recently renovated, nine-bed surgical unit designed exclusively for bariatric surgery patients keep care on the cutting edge.
operating room
The Center for Weight Management has been designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) since November 2005.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Minnesota and the BCBS Association named the Center for Weight Management a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery in April 2008.. Bariatric patients at the Center for Weight Management have a choice when deciding their best option for weight-loss surgery. Dr. Daniel Smith and Dr. Robert Wroblewski can help you decide what would be best for you.
Most of our surgeries are performed laparoscopically. Gastric bypass surgery has been shown to be the bariatric industry gold standard for effective,long-term results. The sleeve gastrectomy is our latest option,and gastric banding is another choice. A non-surgical solution is also available.
Our dedicated surgical unit specializes in the treatment of bariatric patients. Equipment,beds,and garments are tailored to accommodate the needs of larger patients. Experienced professionals will assist you from surgery through recovery. Ongoing support and follow-up care help you meet and maintain your weight-loss goals.