Weight Loss Surgery FAQs

Rather than using weight, we use body mass index (BMI) as a criteria for surgery -- excess fat in relation to height. Individuals are candidates for surgery if your BMI is greater than 40 or between 35 and 40 with major obesity-related medical problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

Each insurance policy is different. As a courtesy, our insurance specialist will verify your policy coverage and what requirements are needed to submit for final authorization.

There are loan programs available to cover the cost of health expenses such as metabolic and bariatric surgery. Appeals to insurance companies or directly to your employer may reverse a denial of coverage. Metabolic and Bariatric surgery is a health expense that you can deduct from your income tax.

If you are not able to qualify for a loan, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) produces a helpful guide titled “Working with Your Insurance Provider - A Guide to Seeking Weight-loss Surgery.” This guide can help you work with your provider and advocate for your surgery to be covered. You can view the OAC guide on their website.

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.

Right away! You will take gentle, short walks even while you are in the hospital. The key is to start slow. Listen to your body and your surgeon. If you lift weights or do sports, stay “low impact” for the first month (avoid competition, think participation). Build slowly over several weeks. If you swim, your wounds need to be healed over before you get back in the water.

All procedures can provide long term success with weight loss. However, based on an individual’s underlying health status, it may be determined that one procedure is recommended over the others. This discussion occurs with Dr Sebastien or Dr. Nelson. In all cases, the real key to lasting success is the effort you put into it. Bariatric surgery is a TOOL to success, it is not a cure.

We offer a comprehensive nutrition education program for all patients prior to surgery that provides instruction on what foods to eat as well as guidance in re-learning eating behaviors. After surgery you will meet with the Registered Dietitian each time you come in to see the surgeon. This will help to fine tune those areas you may be having challenges with.

After surgery it is important to keep up with your follow up visits. You will meet with the surgeon during your one month; six month and one year follow up, then annually thereafter, FOR LIFE.

Additionally, you will meet with the nurse practitioner at your one month, three month, six month, nine month, one year and 18 month visits, then annually FOR LIFE, at which time your labs will be reviewed and medication adjustments will be done. The labs will show areas of health improvements as well as areas of deficiencies which will need to be corrected.