Frequently Asked Questions

Weight Loss FAQ's

How do I know if weight loss surgery will be successful for me?

Only you can decide if surgery is right for you. Surgery is only a tool, since strict adherence to dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes are essential to long-term success. Weight loss surgery will succeed only when you make a life-long commitment to these changes. However, if you are motivated to make these changes, surgery can have a great impact on your life. This will likely improve the quality and the longevity of your life.

How effective is weight loss surgery?

The amount of weight lost after surgery depends on several factors, including:

• Overall health (related co-morbidities)
• Age
• Weight prior to surgery
• Adherence to dietary guidelines
• Motivation
• Ability to exercise

Clinical studies show that following surgery most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so for 2 to 5 years. Initially, Gastric Bypass patients may lose weight at a faster rate than those undergoing LAP-BAND© Surgery but, over time, weight loss will be similar for both surgical procedures.

If I suffer from depression or other mental health problems, does that mean I am a poor candidate for weight loss surgery?

Not necessarily. Untreated mental health problems will impair your ability to take care of yourself and follow post-surgical guidelines. However, as long as you are properly treated, emotional problems do not necessarily interfere with your success. You should maintain your medications as recommended by your physician and seek additional treatment as needed. We require a psychological condition to be in control for 6 months prior to surgery.

How long will it be until I can have surgery?

Preparation for surgery will depend on many factors including your health history, your motivation and your insurance company. If you have attended our Introduction to Weight Loss Surgery Class, please review the Patient Flow Worksheet included with the paperwork you received for detailed steps of this process.

Will my health insurance pay for surgery?

Some insurance companies do have exclusions in their policies for weight loss surgery. Exclusions mean that they will not pay for the surgery even if it is proved medically necessary. However, there are some insurance companies that will pay for some portion of the surgery. We will help you determine what your benefits are. Since we will need to prove that surgery is medically necessary, we will put together a packet of information to submit to your insurance company. Some of the types of information we may need to include are:

• History and physical
• Your diet history
• Chart notes from your physicians
• Nutrition consultation
• Psychological evaluation
• Blood work
  

Where do you go from here – which surgery is right for me?

It is important to remember that weight loss surgery is only a tool and not the ultimate solution. So it is our goal that we find the right surgical tool for you. Once we set you up for your initial consultation at the Center of Surgical Specialists, P.C., our staff/surgeons can review your specific needs and information and provide a one-on-one assessment. But, you can help us out by answering these questions: Any one or a combination of these factors can lead to obesity. As science continues to search for answers, morbidly obese individuals must understand how to treat their condition in the most effective way.

Do you qualify for weight loss surgery? (See surgical qualifications )

• What is your BMI (body mass index)?
• Do you have any obesity related health issues (diabetes, sleep apnea, joint problems)?
• Are there health risks that preclude you from surgery?
  

Does your health insurance provide benefits or coverage for weight loss (bariatric) surgery?

• You may need to review your policy or call your insurance company and ask to see if you have these benefits covered.

Once we know you medically qualify for the surgery and you have health insurance coverage for the surgical procedure, we can schedule you for the initial consultation at the Center of Surgical Specialists, P.C.