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Total Weight Loss Center, a North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health service, opened a newly remodeled space on May 11. Formerly the Bariatric Center at NKCH, the clinic expanded its services to include medical weight loss treatment, which reflects its holistic approach to wellness.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss,” said Bariatrician Breann Kelley, MD, DABOM. “Offering medical and surgical weight loss services allows us to match the right treatment plan with the right person.”

Comprised of a psychologist, program coordinator, weight loss doctor, fellowship-trained surgeons, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians and nurses, certified personal trainers and insurance coordinators, the team at Total Weight Loss Center approaches weight loss differently.

“Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to treat obesity as a whole, not just some aspects of the disease,” said Linda Coventon, network executive of Meritas Health. “Because obesity is a complex medical condition, treating the whole person and all their weight loss needs is key to long-term success.”

In addition to bariatric surgery and medical weight loss treatment, Total Weight Loss Center offers nutrition, exercise and behavior support services. Total Weight Loss Center is nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. In addition to meeting the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care at every step, the Total Weight Loss Center provides access to fellowship-trained surgeons, support groups, and an on-site fitness center and hospital services.

“Being overweight can result in serious, life-threatening health complications,” said Keenan Berghoff, MD, FACS, FASMBS, medical director of the Total Weight Loss Center. “Successfully losing weight through surgery or another method not only reduces the risk of developing an obesity-related disease but often improves or eliminates these conditions altogether.”

Surgical weight loss, sometimes called bariatric surgery, is a safe and effective weight loss treatment. Medical weight loss is an alternative to surgical weight loss that focuses on nutrition, activity and behavior changes. Medications are also prescribed, as needed.

Visit totalweightloss.com to learn more.

About North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health

For more than 60 years, North Kansas City Hospital has been the Northland's preferred healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide hope and healing to every life we touch.

NKCH is an acute care facility with 451 licensed beds and 550 physicians representing 49 medical specialties. From our award-winning cardiovascular and orthopedic programs to our cancer, emergency, neurosciences, spine, women’s and other services, we provide a lifetime of care.

Through our Meritas Health subsidiary, NKCH offers the largest network of physician practices in the Northland, with more than 280 primary and specialty care doctors and advanced practice providers in 35 convenient locations, including an express care clinic in the 64th Street Hy-Vee store.

Our accreditations demonstrate our commitment to providing quality healthcare, including:

Our oncology partnership with The University of Kansas Cancer Center provides patients with access to clinical trials and state-of-the-art radiation therapy.

Our mission, vision and values reflect a strong commitment to the health and well-being of our employees, the Northland community and beyond. U.S. News & World Report ranked NKCH High Performing in 10 procedures and conditions and named NKCH a Best Regional Hospital. Forbes honored NKCH as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers, ranking NKCH the top midsize hospital and health system in the Kansas City area and No. 148 midsize company in the nation.

Each year NKCH serves more than 24,000 people through its dynamic Community Health & Wellness programs.