If you are ready to get your weight under control, we are here to help.
Barnes-Jewish and Washington University Physicians offer a wide range of non-surgical and surgical options to meet your weight-related goals and emotional needs while providing individualized support throughout the entire journey. Our multidisciplinary weight-loss team partners directly with our patients before, during, and after their interventions to improve outcomes and long-term success. Treatment can include nutrition counseling, psychological counseling, lifestyle behavior coaching and physical therapy.
Following your initial medical evaluation, your physician will help you determine which weight loss procedure will meet your individual needs and preferences.
Meet Our Physicians
Washington University Physicians are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
Gastroenterologists
Michael C. Bennett, MD
Dr. Michael Bennett specializes in endoscopic weight loss procedures for overweight to obese patients and comprehensive care associated with digestive conditions.
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Michael C. Bennett, MD
Dr. Michael Bennett’s clinical interests are dedicated to endoscopic weight loss procedures for overweight to obese patients and comprehensive care associated with digestive conditions.
Dr. Bennett specializes in gastrointestinal conditions associated with Barrett’s esophagus (may develop into esophageal cancer), colon cancer, colon polyps, diverticulitis, esophageal disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers and unexplained abdominal pain. Washington University Physicians and BJC HealthCare accept most health insurance plans for digestive diseases, including those listed below. If you have questions, please contact your insurance company.
If you have attempted weight loss through diet and exercise without success and/or don’t want or qualify for bariatric surgery, Dr. Bennett partners with his patients to provide nonsurgical solutions including aspiration therapy and intragastric balloon therapy. In addition to the endoscopic procedures, Dr. Bennett also prescribes medications to assist with weight loss. Most insurance providers do not cover the cost of these weight loss options, but Washington University Physicians and BJC HealthCare offer package pricing to help you understand costs upfront.
Dr. Bennett is the recipient of the Highest Patient Satisfaction Award from the Washington University Department of Medicine and the Young Investigator Award from the American Gastroenterological Association.
“Washington University Physicians offers the highest level of subspecialty expertise. When patients see a Washington University physician, they know they are getting the most up-to-date, evidence-based, and comprehensive care available. I practice medicine with the whole patient in mind, not just their disease and the medical treatment of it, but also the impact of that disease on the patient and their loved ones. I hope that anyone suffering from a gastro-intestinal (GI) illness feels comfortable reaching out to us for a consultation. We may not be able to cure all GI illnesses, but there are many things we can do to find answers, make symptoms better and offer reassurance.”
Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Bennett enjoys spending time with his wife, young son and their dog and they can often be found in a neighborhood park, playground or exploring Forest Park. He also enjoys hiking, traveling, Cardinals baseball and listening to and playing music.
Dayna S. Early, MD
Dr. Dayna Early specializes in overweight to obese patients, colorectal cancer screening, treatment of Barrett esophagus and early-stage esophageal cancer.
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Dayna S. Early, MD
Dr. Dayna Early’s clinical interests are dedicated to endoscopic weight loss procedures for overweight to obese patients, colorectal cancer screening, treatment of Barrett esophagus and early-stage esophageal cancer.
Dr. Early specializes in gastrointestinal conditions associated with Barrett esophagus (may develop into esophageal cancer), colon cancer, colon polyps, esophageal disease and patients at increased risk for pancreatic cancer.
If you have attempted weight loss through diet and exercise without success and/or don’t want or qualify for bariatric surgery, Dr. Early partners with her patients to provide nonsurgical solutions including aspiration therapy and intragastric balloon therapy. Most insurance providers do not cover the cost of these weight loss options, but Washington University Physicians and BJC HealthCare offer package pricing to help you understand costs upfront.
Dr. Early is the vice chair of the Board of Governors of the American College of Gastroenterology and director of endoscopy at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
“Washington University has a robust physician network that allows collaborative care in many disciplines. I gather as much information as possible about each patient's gastrointestinal condition and use national guidelines whenever applicable to guide my recommendation to patients.”
Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Early loves being outside, walking and running with her dog, Molly, and enjoys cooking.
Vladimir M. Kushnir, MD
Dr. Vladimir Kushnir specializes in interventional endoscopy and endoscopic weight loss procedures for overweight to obese patients.
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Vladimir M. Kushnir, MD
Dr. Vladimir Kushnir’s clinical interests are dedicated to interventional endoscopy and endoscopic weight loss procedures for overweight to obese patients.
Dr. Kushnir specializes in gastrointestinal conditions associated with Barrett’s esophagus (may develop into esophageal cancer), biliary tract disorders, removal of complex colon polyps, esophageal disease, gallstones, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis and ulcers. Washington University Physicians and BJC HealthCare accept most health insurance plans for digestive diseases, including those listed below. If you have questions, please contact your insurance company.
If you have attempted weight loss through diet and exercise without success and/or don’t want or qualify for bariatric surgery, Dr. Kushnir partners with his patients to provide nonsurgical solutions including aspiration therapy, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, endoscopic gastric outlet repair and gastric balloon therapy. Most insurance providers do not cover the cost of these weight loss options, but Washington University Physicians and BJC HealthCare offer package pricing to help you understand costs upfront.
Dr. Kushnir is consistently recognized on The Best Doctors in America list, a patient resource developed by Best Doctors Inc. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the American College of Gastroenterology Colorectal Cancer Prevention Award, and is a Fellow of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Fellowship Award and the American Gastroenterological Association. Dr. Kushnir is the director of bariatric endoscopy at Washington University School of Medicine.
“I find every patient interesting and important. I like that I offer minimally invasive therapy and in a lot of cases, help patients avoid surgery or invasive diagnostic testing. I'm also passionate about treating patients with obesity, in the Washington University School of Medicine non-surgical weight loss program, where we offer minimally invasive endoscopic weight loss procedures to help patients achieve their weight loss goals.”
Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Kushnir enjoys spending time outdoors, running, hiking and skiing with his family.
Bariatric Surgeons
J. Chris Eagon, MD
Dr. Chris Eagon specializes in the surgical treatment of severely obese patients and comprehensive care associated with digestive conditions.
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John Chris Eagon, MD
Dr. Chris Eagon’s clinical interests are dedicated to surgical treatment of severely obese patients and comprehensive care associated with digestive conditions.
Dr. Eagon, a surgeon who performs minimally invasive surgery to treat gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, specializes in conditions associated with obesity, abdominal hernias, Barret’s esophagus, biliary tract disorders, esophageal disease, gallstones, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, ulcers and unexplained abdominal pain.
Washington University Physicians and BJC HealthCare accept most health insurance plans, including those listed below. If you have questions, please contact your insurance company.
Dr. Eagon has been the director of bariatric surgery at Washington University since 1997 and is the recipient of the Washington University Surgery Chief Residents Mentorship Award 2018 and was the Missouri State Chapter President of American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery from 2011-2013.
“Washington University physicians are highly trained and experienced experts in the fields they treat. They also have the support and backing of advanced resources to deliver the most up to date care available in the country. The most important quality I provide to my patients is empathy. I treat others the way I would want to be treated. I bring a lot of skill and experience to the table, so I often feel I can give patients a definitive answer about whether surgical therapy for benign GI problems would be beneficial or not. I suggest to patients to gather all the information you can from your local or referring caregivers, ask them questions, and gather their opinions. That information can help you make decisions about your own care and if you ultimately seek treatment from me, that background information is often critical to help us all make the best recommendation for you.
Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Eagon enjoys spending time with his wife, adult children and two grandchildren. He also enjoys traveling, watching the St. Louis Blues and the St. Louis Cardinals play, alpine skiing and masters ski racing, working on older model cars and fixing things around the house.
Our Services
Non-surgical Endoscopic Procedures
If you are 30 pounds overweight, not a candidate for bariatric surgery, and have not met your weight loss goals through diet and exercise, a non-surgical weight loss procedure may be an option for you.
Nonsurgical procedures we offer include intragastric balloon, aspiration therapy, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and endoscopic gastric outlet repair (endoscopic revision to previous surgery/procedure). To learn more, submit a nonsurgical weight loss information form and a Washington University team member will contact you.
Bariatric Surgery
If you are obese, losing weight can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea. We offer laparoscopic gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, duodenal switch, and revisions to bariatric surgery.
These weight-loss surgeries involve making changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight. All patients are advised to attend a bariatric surgery information session with a Washington University physician to learn more about the surgical options to treat obesity and eligibility.
Medical Weight Loss
Many patients are able to use weight loss medications to assist them in achieving their weight loss goals. Weight loss medications may be appropriate for patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or above or a BMI above 27, with related health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension. Medications are only one of the tools used in management of obesity and are most effective when used with lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise.
What to Expect...
If You Choose a Washington University Physician at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital or Barnes-Jewish Hospital
At our BJC institutions, our Washington University physicians have years of experience with research and patient education. We offer the latest, most advanced treatment options to help you reach your weight-loss goals.
Our care team works together to coordinate your entire weight-loss journey. We focus on building long-term relationships with our patients, whom we continue to see for lifetime follow-ups after-surgery.
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital bariatric surgical program has been recognized and accredited with national designation as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®). MBSAQIP is a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This designation recognizes the hospital and Washington University physicians for meeting the highest quality standards in delivering bariatric patient care.
Why choose a BJC hospital for your care?
At BJC, our experienced Washington University physicians work to determine the treatment option that is right for you. We are committed to helping you meet your long-term weight-loss goals.
Our physicians use your medical history, body mass index (BMI), and other individual factors to help develop a personalized treatment plan for you. With BJC’s broad range of non-surgical and surgical options, you can be confident you’ll find the best option for your journey to a healthier you.