About Us
Dr. Van L. Wagner
Van L. Wagner, M.D., has been a full-time bariatric surgeon since moving to St. Louis in June 2003. Having performed more than 1000 Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedures, of which were 150 Periumbilical Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Bands, more than 500 Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass procedures and 25 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies in his surgical career, Dr. Wagner has balanced experience with both laparoscopic adjustable gastric bandings and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures. He has performed bariatric operations on a large number of high-risk patients, including over 275 patients weighing between 350 pounds and 550 pounds, and over 525 patients with a body mass index of 50 to 88.
Dr. Wagner was born and raised in Galion, Ohio, and received his college degree in 1984 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He graduated from New York Medical College in Valhalla in 1989, and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark in 1994.
Dr. Wagner has been a board-certified general surgeon since 1996, and is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Wagner’s practice, Heart of America Bariatrics, has been recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence since 1996. He is married and has two children. His interests include mountain climbing, scuba diving, snowboarding, and running marathons.
Hospital Privileges
- St. Alexius Hospital