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Contact Us

Our Office Location:

The Doctors Building of South County
1400 Lemay Ferry Rd. Suite A
St. Louis, MO 63125

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 29255
St. Louis MO 63126
Phone: (314) 776-7112
Fax: (314) 776-7114

Maps & Directions

Seminars

Free educational seminars at the Ballas Outpatient Surgery Center

SEMINAR INFO >>

Patient Forms

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BMI Calculator

BMI, or body mass index, is a calculation to assess your weight-height relationship and make a preliminary determination of underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Enter your weight and height to calculate your BMI.




Underweight = < 18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = 30+
Gateway to long-term weightloss... Gateway to a NEW YOU!

Heart of America Bariatrics

At Heart of America Bariatrics, LLC, we understand that you entrust your bariatric surgeon with more than just your physical well-being. You want and need a surgeon who takes the time to get to know you, answers every question thoroughly, and treats you with kindness and dignity. Dr. Van L. Wagner is this kind of surgeon. Bariatric surgery is an incredible, life-changing procedure, both for the patient and for the patient's loved ones. Reaching the decision to undergo bariatric surgery can be a complex process. You need reliable, objective, and accurate information to help you understand the risks and outcomes of any surgery you are considering. Dr. Wagner and his dedicated, caring staff provide the education, support, and aftercare you need to make your bariatric procedure a successful one. We invite you to learn more about Dr. Wagner, his incredible support team, our procedures, and even some of our patients.

Is Bariatric Surgery Right For You?

Surgical treatment is the only proven method of achieving long term weight control for the severely obese.

Weight loss usually reaches a maximum between 18 and 24 months after surgery. Average excess weight loss at five years after gastric bypass surgery is 48 to 74 percent. After 14 years, average excess weight loss still exceeds 50 percent for gastric bypass patients. Average excess weight loss at five years after LAP-BAND® surgery is 50 to 60 percent.

Are You a Candidate? Learn More

Patient Testimonials

After many years of killing myself with being severally obese I finally signed up for a free seminar to learn more of the surgery process and, the risk. To tell you the truth I was scared. There are risks, but after weighing all the risk of being obese I decided that if I didn’t have the surgery my risk would only be greater...Read More

Click here to view Before and After photos.

Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Van L. Wagner

Dr. Van L. Wagner has performed more than 300 laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures and more than 600 LAP-BAND® procedures in his career. His practice is dedicated entirely to bariatric surgery. So many patients have trusted Dr. Wagner with their bariatric surgeries because he is as caring and thorough as he is skilled and experienced. Dr. Wagner has been a board-certified general surgeon since 1996, and is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Click here to read more about Dr. Van L. Wagner.

Our Services & Procedures

  • Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)
  • Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND®).
  • Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve)
  • REALIZE® Band
  • Free, no-obligation bariatric surgery seminars for interested candidates.
  • Assistance and support with filing your insurance claim.
  • Comprehensive aftercare program.
  • Financing is available.

Your First Steps

Attending a free educational seminar is usually the first step in deciding if weight loss surgery may benefit you. All patients must attend a free seminar prior to being evaluated by Dr. Wagner and scheduling surgery.

Sign up for your free seminar and start your journey towards long-term weight loss today! Seminar Schedule