There’s a good chance that, by the time you come to this page, you are fully convinced that you should undergo bariatric surgery as soon as it can be done properly and safely. This section will let you know how we can work together to get you prepared for surgery as expeditiously as possible!
The first step is for each patient and their support system (loved ones and/or friends) to attend one of our free informational seminars. These seminars take place more than once each week, at a variety of times and locations for maximum convenience. At the seminar, interested patients may set up an appointment to meet with the surgeon, sometimes even on the same day. Usually this appointment lasts a number of hours, and will include a visit with the surgeon as well as several support staff such as dietician, psychologist, and administrative coordinator.
We strongly encourage each patient to keep their primary physician involved in the process of getting ready for surgery. There is a good chance that your physician has worked with our practice previously, and we like to keep channels of communication open. Your primary physician is an excellent person to identify and organize special tests or medical consultations that may be particular to your medical circumstances.
One important question for most people in the planning stage is, "Will my health insurance cover the surgery?" News here is definitely mixed, and coverage is not as widespread or as easy as the medical data on bariatric surgery would support, so no one can take coverage for certain even when it is medically necessary. Our staff will check on the status of your health insurance as soon as possible after you attend our seminar - we encourange you to check on this as well. We find that it is hard for patients to get accurate information from their health insurance company, and we find the best way to get accurate information is through the Band support center at 866-REALIZE. This center is mainly for support of patients who are considering the REALIZE Band, but the staff will kindly help patients interested in gastric bypass or gastric sleeve as well.
