Weight Loss Surgery – Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover the cost of my operation?

Your coverage for weight loss surgery depends on your insurance company. At the required information session you will receive a new patient packet. Inside this packet is a insurance form that will assist you in contacting your insurance carrier to check on coverage, and to determine any requirements prior to having surgery. We ask all patients to complete this form prior to their first visit in our office. At your first office visit you will meet with a referral specialist who will go over your insurance requirements with you.

Your tests and evaluations may not be covered. Be sure to check on your insurance coverage before you undergo any tests or evaluations. If required testing or evaluations are not covered by your insurance you will be responsible for payment. If authorization is needed from your insurance company, you will need to make sure you contact them to get approval or you may be responsible for payment.

Be sure to bring your insurance card with you to each appointment and contact our office immediately if your insurance coverage changes.

Will I need any tests or additional consultations before my operation?

In additional to meeting with one of our surgeons, you will also need blood tests, chest x-ray, EKG, endoscopy, anesthesia consultation, psychiatric evaluation, and a nutrition evaluation. Some patients may also need additional testing or consults based on their medical history. These will be scheduled after your first visit in our office with the surgeon.

View more information about our pre-surgical requirements

How long will I be in the hospital?

Your procedure will be scheduled in the morning, and you should not eat heavy meals during the entire day before your operation.

During your operation you will be under general anesthesia. Your procedure will last from two to three hours.

After your surgery, you will stay in the recovery room until you are awake and then you are brought to the bariatric surgery unit of the hospital. You will sit up and take a short walk later that day. Walking is important because it will help reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs, improve lung function thus helping reduce the risk of pneumonia, and help restore bowel function. There are highly skilled nurses and staff to take good care of you.

Patients who undergo a gastric sleeve are often only in the hospital one night. Patients who undergo a gastric bypass are generally in the hospital for two nights.

How long will it take to recover?

Since weight-loss surgery is a major operation, you should plan to be out of work for up to four weeks. Regardless of your procedure, you should avoid lifting any item weighing more than 10 pounds for at least one month after your surgery.

Are there any risks?

Weight-loss surgery is a major, irreversible operation. Like any other medical procedure, there are some risks.

View more information about the risks of weight-loss surgery

How much weight will I lose?

While many patients lose 100-150 pounds or more, your weight loss depends on staying with a healthy eating plan. If you return to eating large amounts of unhealthy, high-fat and high-sugar foods, friend foods and candy, you will not maintain your weight loss. It is also very important to make exercise a part of your lifestyle. Try to get 150 minutes of exercise per week. It is important to get cardiovascular exercise (walking, biking, swimming, aerobics, etc) and strength training exercise (lifting weights, or body weight activities such as push ups).

How will I feel?

It’s exciting to think about having a new way of life without all the extra weight. You will have more energy, and can enjoy shopping for new clothes and even a new style.

Before then, you will experience many changes and some may feel uncomfortable. Because you will lose weight quickly over the next three to six months, your body will face a dramatic adjustment.

You may have body aches and feel tired. You may also experience mood changes. Your hair may thin. These concerns should pass once your body gets used to eating less, or when your weight stabilizes.

That’s why it’s very important to eat well and always take the bariatric vitamin supplements your doctor recommends.

How will my diet change after surgery?

Because your stomach is much smaller, you will be eating smaller amounts of food. With a bypass procedure, your intestinal tract will also be shorter.

These changes require you to eat differently. In general, you will eat smaller amounts of food, chewing them carefully and slowly.

Proteins are a good choice, especially as you heal from your operation. Lean beef, chicken, fish and beans should be a big part of your diet.

You’ll need to take crushed or liquid bariatric vitamins to make sure you have the nutrition you need. That’s because part of your intestine is no longer processing your food, and you may miss out on some needed vitamins and minerals.

Because the opening between your stomach and intestines is also smaller, it’s important to avoid swallowing large pieces of food.

You will not be drinking liquids with meals. You will need to sip water, or sugar-free, non-carbonated beverages throughout the day.

What is gastric dumping?

Gastric dumping occurs after eating high-fat, high-sugar foods such as candy, sugared beverages, creamed foods and ice cream. These foods enter the small intestine too fast and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and sweating.

It can be avoided by eating slowly and avoiding problem foods.

For More Information

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