Bariatrics Centered

Baptist Health Bariatric Center

Start your journey today

Baptist Health is the leader in surgical weight loss​

Your health and wellness is our top priority. Our surgeons, providers, and care team have an extraordinary passion for being your guide on your journey to long term weight loss. We perform the safest methods of surgery by the most experienced surgeons. Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock provides comprehensive surgical weight loss offerings with successful outcomes and a skilled support team to aid you both before and after your surgical procedure. Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock offers surgical weight loss options and metabolic services that are backed by the resources of the state’s most trusted healthcare system. 

Surgical Excellence Comes With Experience

Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock is designated as a Bariatric Center of Excellence and a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Institute of Quality. This designation identifies our surgical team and program as providing quality, effective care for our patients before and after surgery.

Learn more about Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock.

Baptist Health was recently recognized as one of the 101 hospitals that earned the distinction of Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery. We achieved Leapfrog’s standards for safety, including performing a high enough number of procedures to give patients the best odds of a good outcome and keeping patients safe from errors, infections, and complications. You can learn more about the distinction by reading the articles below.

Methodology: Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery

Money Magazine and Leapfrog Announce First-Ever Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery List

Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock’s patient outcomes speak volumes about our quality. On average, Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock helps over 500 people lose weight and improve their health with weight loss surgery every year. Our quality metrics confirm patient success and drastically improved overall health. Being overweight affects a person’s everyday lifestyle. Baptist Health’s surgical weight loss solutions have contributed to several benefits for patients as a whole.

Have questions about our bariatric services? Call us at (501) 202-4477

In just six months after having bariatric surgery, patients saw a drastic improvement in obesity-related conditions:

Sleep Better

42% of patients were off of C-Pap machines six months after surgery.

Reduce High Blood Pressure

48% of patients were no longer taking blood pressure medications.

Control Diabetes

63% of patients were no longer on medications for diabetes.

Improve Overall Health

75% of patients had complete resolution of one or more obesity-related conditions in only six months after surgery.

How can Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock help you change your life for the better? Register for a seminar today!

Meet Our Providers

Dr. Eric Paul and Dr. Tripurari Mishra are committed to helping patients live a healthier, happier lifestyle through successful weight loss and long-term weight management. Our surgeons and their care team have helped thousands of patients successfully lose weight.

Dr. Eric Paul and Dr. Tripurari Mishra are committed to helping patients live a healthier, happier lifestyle through successful weight loss and long-term weight management. Our surgeons and their care team have helped thousands of patients successfully lose weight.

Kelly Basset, APRN attended school at Baptist Health School of Nursing where she obtained her Associate’s Degree. She then received her Bachelor’s Degree at Arkansas Tech University. She went on to complete her Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Chamberlain University. Kelly is American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certified. 

Lauretta Helmich APN

Lauretta Helmich, APRN

Lauretta Helmich, APRN attended Polk Community College (Winter Haven, FL) where she obtained her Associate’s Degree in Nursing. She then received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL). She completed her Masters in Nursing as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist at Florida Southern College and is certified through American Nurses Credentialing Center. Later she completed a Post Graduate, Adult Nurse Practitioner at Florida Southern College and is certified through American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Mitchell Kirdy, RDN studied at Harding University for his Bachelor’s Degree. He then completed his Dietetic Internship through UAMS/CAVHS, and is currently completing his Master’s Degree of Clinical Nutrition through UAMS. Mitchell is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Licensed Dietitian.

Testimonials

“This surgery saved my life. I no longer take blood pressure medication. I am doing the things I've always wanted to do!” -Owen Faust, Little Rock

“I got my confidence back.” -Aubrey Rains, Cabot

Our Surgical Weight Loss Options

Patient Education & Downloadable Guides

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Baptist Health Bariatric Support Group

Baptist Health Bariatric Center – Little Rock hosts free monthly in-person support group sessions for patients who are pursuing bariatric surgery, or have had bariatric surgery. Patients may also join virtually via the link below. 

Our surgeons agree that ongoing support after surgery leads to the most significant level of success. The Baptist Health Bariatric Surgery Support Group provides an opportunity for patients to discuss personal or professional issues that arise from surgery or a history of obesity.

Each session will offer an educational topic, opportunities to ask questions, and share tips and success stories. Many sessions will include a guest speaker.

This support group also enables patients to surround themselves with other people who understand and support their goals. Patients can also join the Baptist Health Bariatric Support Group on Facebook to be connected with other Baptist Health patients as they navigate their new journey towards lasting weight loss. 

Our monthly in-person support group sessions meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month in the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center at 2500 Kanis Road, Women’s Resource Center Conference Room, 2nd Floor. 

If you are attending virtually, the meeting link is below:

meet.google.com/vbo-tpdk-pnu