Weight loss surgery

• Minimally invasive, robot-assisted vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedures removing a portion of the stomach, creating a smaller, tube-like stomach area restricting food intake
• A bariatric dietitian to help assess, monitor and counsel you before and after surgery to improve adherence to recommendations and maximize weight loss
• A certified bariatric nurse (CBN) for program coordination, patient education, encouragement and support
• Caring, sensitive and compassionate staff with specialized bariatric training
• Pre- and postoperative education classes and support groups
• Size-friendly furnishings and equipment for the comfort and safety of you and your guests

You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if:

• You are 100 pounds or more over the healthy body weight for your height
• You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater
• You have a BMI of 35 or greater and obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes
• You are otherwise unable to sustain a healthy body weight, even with medically supervised dieting

Patient Guide and Checklist

The exact tests, forms and steps required before weight loss surgery can vary from person to person. However, we are here to help you navigate the process and have outlined the typical steps:

• Verify your insurance coverage — Unless you plan to self-pay for bariatric surgery, contact your insurance provider to see if they will cover your procedure and, if so, what requirements they have.
• Document medically monitored weight loss attempts — Most insurance companies require several months of medically documented and supervised weight loss attempts. Your primary care provider can help you with this process and documentation.
• Schedule a bariatric surgery consultation with us — After you have gathered required documentation, please make an appointment with our weight loss team and we’ll talk about next steps together.
• Complete a psychological evaluation — A psychological evaluation is required before weight loss surgery. It includes a detailed clinical interview and psychological tests that help us understand your mental health.
• Complete a nutritional assessment — A nutritional assessment is also part of the preoperative plan of care. It covers your postsurgical diet, emotional eating, food intake and identifying your triggers.