The Queen's Medical Center

Weight Loss Clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii

Call (808) 691-10001301 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813

3.3 (468 reviews)

About The Queen's Medical Center

The Queen's Medical Center is Honolulu's oldest and largest private hospital, offering weight loss and metabolic health services within a full-service academic medical center. Unlike standalone weight loss clinics, Queen's brings together surgical, medical, and behavioral weight management options under a single hospital system. Patients with serious obesity-related health conditions benefit from having all of that expertise in one place.

The weight loss program at Queen's operates alongside the hospital's endocrinology, cardiology, and surgical departments, which means complex cases can be coordinated without referral delays. It's not a boutique experience. The environment is clinical and the process reflects that. But for patients who need comprehensive medical oversight for their weight management, Queen's offers a level of integration that private clinics can't match.

Services Offered

The Queen's Medical Center's weight management services include both non-surgical and surgical pathways. On the non-surgical side, patients have access to medically supervised diet programs, behavioral health counseling, prescription weight loss medications, and endocrinology consultation for related metabolic conditions. The program works closely with registered dietitians who specialize in weight management. For patients who meet criteria, the bariatric surgery program offers sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and revision procedures. The surgical team is supported by dedicated bariatric coordinators who guide patients through the pre-operative evaluation process, which typically includes a six-month supervised weight loss period. The hospital also offers diabetes education programs that are tightly integrated with the weight loss track, since a significant portion of weight loss patients are managing pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes simultaneously. Behavioral health services include individual therapy and group support specifically designed for patients in weight management programs. Urgent care services are available on campus for patients who need same-day medical attention.

Medical Centers

Weight Loss Centers

Urgent Care

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Medical Weight Management Program

Structured multi-disciplinary program including physician oversight, dietitian counseling, behavioral health support, and prescription medication management for patients not pursuing surgery.

6 to 24 monthsLargely insurance-covered; out-of-pocket varies by plan

Bariatric Surgery Evaluation and Procedure

Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation, specialist clearances, and surgical weight loss procedure including sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass with post-surgical follow-up care.

6 to 12 months pre-op, ongoing post-op$20,000 to $35,000 before insurance; often substantially covered

Diabetes and Weight Loss Integrated Program

Combined endocrinology and weight management care for patients with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, coordinating blood sugar management with active weight loss intervention.

12 months or ongoingCovered by most insurance plans with diabetes diagnosis

Behavioral Health Counseling for Weight Management

Individual and group therapy sessions designed to address the psychological and behavioral factors that influence eating habits, physical activity, and long-term weight maintenance.

Ongoing, typically weekly or bi-weeklyCovered by most insurance mental health benefits

What to Expect

Entering Queen's weight management program typically starts with a referral from your primary care physician, though self-referrals are also accepted. After intake paperwork is processed, you'll be scheduled for an initial assessment with the program's medical team. This includes a physician evaluation, body composition measurement, dietary assessment, and a behavioral health screen.

Based on the assessment findings, you'll be placed into the appropriate program track, either non-surgical or surgical. Non-surgical patients begin a structured program with regular appointments with their physician and dietitian. Surgical candidates enter a separate pre-operative process that includes specialist clearances and a supervised weight loss period required by most insurance plans.

Progress is documented within the hospital's integrated electronic record system, which means all of your providers can see your weight management data in the context of your broader health record.

Why Choose The Queen's Medical Center

The Queen's Medical Center makes sense if your weight issues are medically complex or if you're interested in exploring bariatric surgery. The level of specialist coordination available within a single hospital system is something a boutique clinic simply can't replicate. Having your cardiologist, endocrinologist, and bariatric team communicating through the same medical record system removes a lot of the coordination friction that makes complex medical care so difficult.

The hospital's established track record also matters for surgical cases, where experience and complication management protocols are critical. The 3.3-star rating likely reflects the realities of a large hospital system, where waits are longer and the experience is less personal than at a smaller clinic. But for medically complex cases, the clinical depth outweighs the concierge experience.

Insurance & Pricing

The Queen's Medical Center is in-network with most major Hawaii insurance plans, including HMSA, AlohaCare, Tricare, and Medicare. Weight management services are typically covered when medically documented as necessary. Bariatric surgery coverage requires pre-authorization and usually mandates a supervised weight loss period as a condition of approval.

The hospital's financial counseling team can help patients understand their benefits, estimated out-of-pocket costs, and financing options. Financial assistance programs are available for qualifying patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

First-Time Patient Tips

Getting a referral from your primary care physician before calling Queen's can speed up the intake process and may be required by your insurance for coverage of weight management services. If you don't have a primary care doctor, the hospital can help connect you with one.

Bring your insurance card and a complete list of current medications to your first appointment. Given the hospital setting, plan for waits between different parts of your intake assessment, even if your overall appointment is well-organized. The process can span multiple visits.

If bariatric surgery is something you're considering, ask about the informational seminars the hospital offers for prospective surgery patients. These sessions answer a lot of questions upfront and can help you decide whether the surgical route is right for you before committing to the full pre-operative evaluation.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

The hospital's full specialist network means medically complex patients can have all their care coordinated through a single integrated system.
The established bariatric surgery program offers experienced surgeons and comprehensive pre- and post-operative support for patients considering surgical weight loss.
Broad insurance acceptance, including Medicare and Medicaid, makes weight management services accessible to patients who couldn't afford a private clinic.

Things to Consider

The large hospital environment means longer wait times and a less personalized experience than smaller clinics provide.
The 3.3-star rating reflects patient frustrations that are common to busy hospital systems, including administrative delays and inconsistent staff interactions.

Service Area

The Queen's Medical Center is located in downtown Honolulu and serves patients from across Oahu and the neighbor islands. Given the hospital's size and reputation, patients from Maui, the Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai regularly travel to Honolulu for Queen's weight management and surgical services. The hospital's central location is accessible via TheBus and major roadways from all directions across Oahu.

Local Insight

As Honolulu's flagship medical institution, Queen's Medical Center has deep roots in the local community. The hospital has served Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander patients for over a century and has programs specifically designed to address the elevated rates of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease in these communities. For patients from multi-generational Hawaii families, Queen's often carries a level of institutional trust that newer clinics haven't had time to build.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor's referral to access the weight management program at Queen's?

A referral from your primary care physician is recommended and may be required by your insurance for coverage. Self-referrals are accepted but your insurance may not cover services without a referral.

Does Queen's offer GLP-1 weight loss medications like semaglutide?

Yes, prescription weight loss medications are part of the non-surgical program for qualifying patients. The prescribing physician will determine eligibility based on your clinical evaluation.

How long does the bariatric surgery pre-approval process take?

Most insurance plans require a supervised weight loss period of three to six months plus completion of various specialist clearances. The full pre-operative process typically takes six to twelve months from first appointment to surgery date.

Is behavioral health support available as part of the weight loss program?

Yes. Behavioral health counseling is integrated into the program and is available in both individual and group formats. It's especially important for surgical candidates, where psychological readiness is part of the eligibility evaluation.

Can patients from Maui or the Big Island access the program?

Yes. Queen's serves neighbor island patients regularly for both the weight management program and bariatric surgery. Many appointments can be clustered to minimize travel, and some follow-ups are available via telehealth.

What's the difference between a sleeve gastrectomy and a gastric bypass at Queen's?

The bariatric team will explain both procedures in detail during your evaluation. In general, sleeve gastrectomy removes a portion of the stomach, while gastric bypass reroutes the digestive tract. The right choice depends on your health history, current conditions, and weight loss goals.

Does the hospital have financial assistance for patients who can't afford the program?

Yes. Queen's Medical Center has a financial assistance program for qualifying patients who are uninsured or underinsured. The financial counseling team can walk you through application requirements during your intake process.

How does Queen's 3.3-star rating compare to what patients actually experience in the weight management program?

Hospital-wide ratings reflect the full range of patient experiences across all departments and service types. The weight management program has its own dedicated team and coordinator structure, and patients in the program often report a more consistent experience than the overall hospital rating might suggest.