Things to Consider:

Can you comply with the follow up that is required after surgery?
You have to follow the directions of your surgeon, especially diet, exercise, labs and office follow up. The surgery is a tool only. Results are only as good as your use of this tool.  Surgery alone will not take care of your weight or health issues.  There will never be a break in following the guidelines set forth by your surgeon regarding diet, exercise and follow up. You are making a life-long commitment.  Depending on the surgical procedure chosen, after surgery your stomach can only hold two tablespoons to six ounces of food/liquid.  The post operative diet is very restrictive starting at only 500 to 600 calories a day.  The diet is very low in fat, low in sugar and high in protein.   On-going adherence to a strict diet and exercise plan, as well as regular follow up visits is a must.  We require post operative follow ups at two weeks; six weeks; three months; six months; nine months, and one year.  After that you will be required to complete follow ups annually for life.

Can you afford the out of pocket costs?
Each patient is required to undergo several pre-operative consultations and evaluations.  An out of pocket charge will be necessary if your insurance company does not cover one of the required pre-operative consultations or if they do not cover our required providers for these evaluations. For example, the pre-operative consult with our program dietitian is generally not covered by insurance. Other out of pocket costs include required nutritional supplements.  Don’t forget to consider that even if your insurance covers the surgery, you should check into what your co-pays and or deductible will be both for the inpatient hospital stay as well as follow up visits! 

If your insurance policy includes a specific exclusion for the surgical treatment of obesity you will not be covered for surgery, no matter your current health issues. Should you decide that you would like to pay for the surgery yourself you need to be aware that depending on the procedure chosen hospital costs and surgeon fees could run from $15,000 to upwards of $60,000.  At this time we do not offer payment plans, and would require payment up front. 

Are you looking to surgery for the right reasons?
Bariatric surgery is NOT done for cosmetic reasons. It is done to improve failing health, and is for those 100 pounds or more overweight.  If you meet the medical criteria, you are doing it for health reasons. Feeling better is the goal, looking better is a "side effect".   You will also need to be aware that large amount of weight loss often leads to excess skin, which may require plastic surgery which is not generally covered by insurance. 

Do you have the emotional support you need?
It is crucial that you have a strong support network of family and friends that will be there to help you through the decision making process, and especially as you recover after surgery.  We suggest that not only the patient, but also their close friends and family become educated about the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery.   Surgery is a stressful experience.  This is a major life change.  Should you currently have any other significant stressors, for example a pending divorce, death of a loved one, etc. you may want to wait until you feel you are on more solid ground.   It is also important to realize that surgery, and the resulting weight loss will not solve all of your problems. It is important for patients to maintain realistic expectations before and after surgery.