Our Services

Our Team

Program Philosophy

Norman Regional’s Weight Loss and Bariatric Program believes in improving every aspect of a patient’s life. Our philosophy is to educate and prepare all our patients for their weight loss journey.

We achieve this through:

  • Proper Screening
  • An Assessment of the risks and benefits of surgery for each patient
  • A Multi-Disciplinary Approach that includes a surgeon evaluation, nutrition counseling, support groups, psychological assessment, physical assessment and plan and a pre-operative class
  • Aggressive follow-up for five years

Doctors

Dr. Lana Nelson, D.O., specializes in surgery of the gastrointestinal system and is board certified in general surgery. She offers comprehensive surgical care for weight loss surgery, gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn) disorders, and abdominal hernias. She is experienced in a wide variety of open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic surgery. She is the first surgeon in Oklahoma to offer the TIF procedure (transoral incisionless fundoplication), an endoscopic procedure for heartburn). She serves as Director of the Bariatric Service Program at Norman Regional Hospital.

Dr. Nelson has been in practice in our community since 2005. Dr. Nelson attended medical school at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then moved to Ohio where she completed a residency in general surgery at Ohio University Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Oklahoma after completing her fellowship at the University of South Florida Tampa General Hospital in Advanced Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery.

Contact Dr. Nelson at (405) 735-2049
520 S. Telephone Road, Suite 101 Moore, OK 73160
Website: journeyclinic.com
Email: info@journeyclinic.com.

Dr. Andrew Wheeler, M.D.,recently joined Norman Regional Health System as a surgeon specializing in both general surgery and weight loss surgery.

Dr. Wheeler joins the practices of Norman Surgical Associates, 500 E. Robinson, #2300 in Norman, and Journey Clinic, 520 S. Telephone Road, Suite 101 in Moore. He is able to treat a wide range of conditions from complex hernias, anti-acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal problems.

Dr. Wheeler completed medical school and his residency at the University of Missouri. He also completed a Bariatric Surgery Fellowship in St. Louis. It was in his residency and fellowship he saw the incredible outcomes of bariatric or weight loss surgery.

“It is a procedure that cures the disease of obesity but also helps prevent problems such as heart disease or diabetes. It can change someone’s life,” Dr. Wheeler said.

To help people interested in weight loss surgery learn more, Dr. Wheeler is hosting live seminars. During the seminar, he discusses if surgery is right for you and the different surgical options that are available. These seminars are held at 3 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month and at 5 p.m. every third Monday at Journey Clinic. There is also a seminar at 5 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Norman Regional Hospital Education Center. If you would like to sign up for a seminar, please call the Journey Clinic office at (405) 735-2049.

Contact Dr. Wheeler at (405) 735-2049
520 S. Telephone Road, Suite 101 Moore, OK 73160
Website: journeyclinic.com
Email: info@journeyclinic.com.

Dr. Ronnie Keith, D.O. FACOS, is a native Oklahoman, graduating from Moore High School and obtaining a B.S. in Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford, OK. Medical School was completed at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, OK. After finishing General Surgery Residency in St. Louis, MO practice was started in the South Oklahoma City-Moore area and the practice was relocated to Norman in 2000.

In addition to general surgery, Dr. Keith has a special interest in weight loss surgery and is the founder of Oklahoma Weight Loss Options.

Contact Dr. Keith at (405) 360-7100
2405 Palmer Circle Norman, OK 73072
Website: owlo.com

Staff

Surgery Team

The primary Surgical Team is a diverse group of medical professionals including: surgeon, anesthesia, registered nurses, and surgical technicians. Each member of the surgery team contributes their individual knowledge and skills, while concurrently working together to ensure optimal outcomes of the bariatric surgery patient.

The Floor Team


The metabolic surgery unit is comprised of specialized registered nurses and nursing assistants who care for bariatric surgery patients in the immediate postoperative period. Additionally the nursing team provides the necessary education and skills to promote independence of care upon returning home from the hospital.

Physical Therapy


The physical therapy team is comprised of licensed physical therapists and physical therapy assistants. The physical therapy team’s responsibilities include assessing the bariatric surgery patient for physical mobility/ functionality limitations and to develop a treatment plan to improve identified limitations before and after surgery. These treatment plans are designed to safely encourage acceleration in weight loss as well as evolve with the patient’s needs as postoperative weight loss occurs following bariatric surgery.