Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery
Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery at CCM Health: A New Chapter in Your Weight Loss Journey
If diet, exercise, and other weight loss methods haven’t given you the results you’re looking for, bariatric surgery may be the right next step. At CCM Health, bariatric surgery is offered through our Thrive Weight Loss Program, giving you access to both surgical and non-surgical options — all backed by a caring team who wants to see you thrive.
CCM Health’s Mission CCM Health provides exceptional patient care that focuses on improving the health and well-being of those we serve.
Contact CCM Health for more information Call (320) 269-8877
What Is Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery?
Bariatric and Metabolic surgeries includes a group of procedures that change how your stomach or digestive system works. These changes help you feel full on less food, absorb fewer calories, or both. For many people, bariatric surgery is a powerful tool for losing weight and improving health problems linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Bariatric surgery isn’t an instant fix. It works best when paired with the healthy habits you build through the Thrive program, including guidance from our medical providers, dietitian, behavioral health team, and personal trainers.
Weight Loss Options Through the Thrive Program
Not every patient needs the same approach to weight loss. That’s why CCM Health offers a range of options, from traditional surgery to minimally invasive, scope-based procedures. Dr. Robert Johnson works with each patient to find the option that best fits their health history and goals.
Surgical Weight Loss Options
Traditional bariatric surgery changes the size or shape of your stomach and digestive tract. These procedures are generally considered for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with an obesity-related health condition. During your consultation, Dr. Johnson will review your health history and help you decide whether surgery is the right fit for you.
ESG: Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
ESG is a non-surgical option for weight loss. Instead of making incisions, your doctor uses a thin, flexible scope to place stitches inside your stomach, reducing its size by about 70 to 80 percent. Because there are no cuts, most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within two to three days.
ESG may be a good fit if you have a BMI between 30 and 50 and haven’t reached your goals through diet and exercise alone. In a published clinical study, patients who paired ESG with diet and lifestyle changes lost an average of 13.6 percent of their total body weight after one year.
As with any procedure, ESG carries some risk. Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting in the first week, and most symptoms improve within 30 to 60 days. Dr. Johnson will go over all the risks and benefits with you before your procedure.
TORe: Transoral Outlet Reduction
TORe is an endoscopic suture treatment for gastric bypass patients who are struggling with weight regain. Weight regain can happen if the gastric outlet and/or pouch stretches. The gastric outlet is the opening between your gastric pouch and your small intestine. TORe works by tightening the gastric outlet with sutures (stitches). This procedure decreases the size of the opening and helps you lose weight. After weight regain from a previous bariatric surgery, TORe works to bring the connection from the stomach and small intestines back to a size that limits intake, leading to lasting weight loss. There are other reported benefits like alleviating dumping syndrome and mitigation of hypoglycemic episodes
If you’ve had gastric bypass surgery in the past and have started regaining weight, TORe may help. Over time, the connection between your stomach and small intestine can stretch, which allows you to eat larger amounts before feeling full. TORe uses a scope passed through the mouth to tighten this connection back down — no incisions required.
TORe is intended for adults with a BMI between 30 and 50 who have regained weight after gastric bypass surgery. Research shows patients see an average of 6 percent total body weight loss one year after the procedure. Most side effects, like nausea or stomach pain, are temporary and improve within the first week.
Curious if Bariatric Surgery Is Right for You?
Whether you’re interested in traditional surgery or a non-surgical, minimally invasive option, our surgery team can help you find the right fit.
Listen to a patients experience with bariatric surgery.
Meet Robert Johnson, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Dr. Robert Johnson is a general surgeon who brings expertise in foregut surgery, bariatric surgery, and advanced flexible endoscopy to CCM Health patients. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth Campus.
He is a member of the American Foregut Society as well as the Society of the American Gastrointestinal & Endoscopic Surgeons.
He has earned Fellowships through the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons
Dr. Johnson builds an individualized care plan for every patient, starting with a thorough health history and exam. He values the close relationships that come from practicing in a small community, working with patients and their families throughout every step of their weight loss journey.
Dr. Johnson approaches every case with the same goal: understanding the full picture before recommending a path forward and helping his patients feel supported the whole way through.
Why Choose CCM Health’s Thrive Program?
When you choose bariatric surgery through Thrive, you get more than a single procedure — you get a full team in your corner:
- Medical Provider Team – Evaluates your health and prescribes the best treatment plan for your goals.
- Behavioral Health Team – Helps you understand and manage the emotional triggers behind eating habits.
- Registered Dietitian – Guides you toward food choices that fit your life, with no rigid, one-size-fits-all diet.
- Personal Trainers – Build a workout plan suited to your body and your goals.
Every Thrive participant also receives a free one-month membership to the CCM Health Wellness Center, plus access to quarterly events covering nutrition, cooking, and long-term weight management.
Ready to Learn More?
Bariatric and metabolic surgery is a big decision, and you don’t have to make it alone. Click the interest form link below, complete our contact form, and one of our patient navigators will reach out to answer your questions and help you take the next step.
CCM Health – Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Interest Form
Prefer to talk to someone right away? Call (320) 269-8877 to speak with the CCM Health Thrive team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thrive is CCM Health’s medically directed weight loss program. It combines support from medical providers, behavioral health therapists, dietitians, and personal trainers to help you build a healthier lifestyle, with or without surgery.
CCM Health offers both traditional bariatric surgery and minimally invasive options like ESG and TORe. Dr. Robert Johnson will help you determine which option best fits your health needs.
ESG uses a scope and internal stitches to reduce stomach size, with no incisions or scars. Traditional bariatric surgery changes the stomach or digestive tract through surgery. Both aim to help you eat less and feel full sooner.
Yes. TORe is designed specifically for patients who have regained weight after a previous gastric bypass surgery.
Coverage depends on your insurance plan and medical necessity. Some insurers cover ESG and other procedures on a case-by-case basis. Our team can help you understand your coverage options.
Fill out the form on this page, or call (320) 269-8877. A CCM Health patient navigator will reach out to schedule your first appointment.
Sources referenced for statistics
- Abu Dayyeh BK, Bazerbachi F, Vargas EJ, et al. “Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for treatment of class 1 and 2 obesity (MERIT).” The Lancet. 2022.
- Jirapinyo, et al. “Five-year and Seven-year Outcomes of Transoral Outlet Reduction for the Treatment of Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.” Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2020.
