Samaritan closes weight loss center

MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Hospital's Center for Weight Loss Management will close in May.

After two years of operations, the center stops performing weight loss surgeries, known as bariatric surgeries, due to a lack of demand by the community.

"We've just launched it at the wrong time," Vicky Brown, vice president of Physician Services at Samaritan Healthcare. "At the time we set the program up, the economy was looking pretty good. But there just hasn't been enough demand to support it in our community."

The department would have to perform 50 surgeries a year to break even with program costs, says Brown.

"Since the program opened in 2009, we've only done 15 surgeries," said Brown. "This did not make the bariatric surgery a viable program and we have decided to discontinue it."

Few insurance companies cover the cost of weight loss surgery, and so most individuals have to pay for the procedures.

Gastric bypass and gastric banding, which uses a band to restrict the amount of food going into the stomach, are the two most common types of weight loss surgery.

Prices for the surgeries range from $16,000-$23,000, depending on the procedure and patient.

"We worked really hard at putting together a quality program and are sad that we're seeing it close," said Brown.

Brown says the program had positive effects on the hospital, such as requiring staff to complete sensitivity training.

"We are sorry to have to close the weight management center," said Samaritan Hospital Administrator, Andrew Bair.  "We still believe in the philosophy of weight loss surgery, but economically, we can no longer provide the services in Moses Lake. We will work with all of our patients to make a smooth transition for them to other health care facilities that still offer a bariatric surgery program."

Brown says the hospital agreed to provide support services though the end of 2011 with follow-up services with monthly support meetings available.

People seeking more information, about these programs or follow up care, can call Samaritan surgery at 509-793-9785 or visit the website at www.samaritanhealthcare.com.