Will the costs be covered by my insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover the costs of bariatric surgery. It is best to check with the benefits department of your health insurance about coverage. This can usually be done by calling or emailing your health insurance or by leaving a message through their online system.
What are the costs if I pay out of pocket and are payment plans available?
The practice and hospital will work with you to determine out of pocket costs and payment plans. It is important to know that any changes to length of stay or possible complications could affect the overall cost.
How much weight will I be able to lose?
You can expect to lose 30-40% of your excess weight within 6 months after surgery if you follow the recommendations from your care team. Weight loss after surgery generally depends on the procedure you and your surgeon choose and your commitment to exercising and eating healthy. Many people have lost 80% of their excess weight within 12-18 months after surgery.
For example: A 35 year old male who is 5’10” has an ideal body weight of about 160 lbs, based on a commonly used clinical calculation. If he weighs 300 lbs at the time of surgery, he can expect to lose 112 lbs 12-18 months after surgery for a weight of 188 lbs.
What do I need to do to get approved for surgery?
You’ll need to meet the medical criteria and complete a pre-surgical evaluation program. This will include: appointments with members of the care team, like Registered Dietitians and Psychologists. Our physicians and bariatric coordinator will guide you through to process to ensure all required steps are completed.
How long will I have to stay at the hospital?
Between 1-3 days on average and depending on the procedure you and your surgeon decide on.
Why do I need to go through such a complicated process?
Our goal is to ensure our patients have long-term success following surgery, and we want our patients to be prepared. The process to have weight loss surgery is driven by medical reasons and insurance requirements. It might feel complicated in the beginning. After surgery, people usually say that it was useful to them and set them up for the time after surgery in a good way.
If I decide now, how long until I can have the surgery?
After 3 months at the earliest. Your surgery date also depends on the requirements from your health insurance and your timely completion of required actions in preparation for your surgery.
Can the surgery be undone?
Procedures can be reversed in the right clinical situation. Reversal procedures are very challenging and come with a high risk of complication.
What is the risk of complications?
As with any major surgery, gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries pose potential health risks, both in the short term and long term.
Risks associated with the surgical procedure can include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Blood clots
- Lung or breathing problems
- Leaks in your gastrointestinal system
- Death
Longer term risks and complications of weight-loss surgery vary depending on the type of surgery. They can include:
- Bowel obstruction
- Dumping syndrome, causing diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Gallstones
- Hernias
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Malnutrition
- Stomach perforation
- Ulcers
- Vomiting
- Death
Do I need to lose weight before surgery?
Many health insurance plans require a small amount of weight loss before surgery under clinical supervision. It is common that insurance companies accept it if you participated in a physician supervised weight loss program in the last two years when applying for weight loss surgery.
How long until my health problems will get better?
Many health problems will get better significantly already days after surgery.
What will the time after surgery look like?
During the first weeks after surgery you will have to follow a strict diet to ensure your safe recovery. After that you will slowly move towards a normal diet.
How long will I have to be out from work after surgery?
After surgery, most patients return to work in one or two weeks. You will have low energy for a while after surgery and may need to have some half days, or work every other day for your first week back. Your surgeon will give you clear instructions. Most jobs want you back in the workplace as soon as possible, even if you can’t perform ALL duties right away. Your safety and the safety of others are extremely important – low energy can be dangerous in some jobs.
Many patients are worried about getting hernias at incisions. That is almost never a problem from work or lifting. Hernias are more often the result of infection. You will not feel well if you do too much.
