Although you may be anxious to get on with the surgery now that you've made the decision, take the time to find the right surgeon with a good bariatric program. The decision to have weight loss surgery is a lifelong commitment to living a healthy life...not an easy process. You will need a strong support system and that begins with a weight loss surgeon who has a good bariatric program. So...what exactly is a good bariatric program?
Although you may be anxious to get on with the surgery now that you've made the decision, take the time to find the right surgeon with a good bariatric program. The decision to have weight loss surgery is a lifelong commitment to living a healthy life...not an easy process. You will need a strong support system and that begins with a weight loss surgeon who has a good bariatric program.
So...what exactly is a good bariatric program?
A good bariatric program will educate you on the bariatric surgery options that are best for you.
There are several different types of surgical procedures, but only two basic methods, restrictive and malabsorptive. Restrictive procedures restrict food intake to reduce calories consumed. Malabsorptive procedures alter digestion to reduce absorption of calories through the intestine.
Restrictive methods of surgery include:
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND and REALIZE Band)
Gastric Sleeve
Malabsorptive methods of surgery include:
Biliopancreatic Diversion
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass procedures are both restrictive and malabsorptive.
The surgeon's bariatric team should discuss the various options you have to help you consider the pros and cons of gastric bypass surgery, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of gastric bands and the gastric sleeve surgery. While you may want to get input from friends, family members and other patients as well, the final decision is ultimately yours. The best bariatric surgery for you is not the procedure that works best for someone else, but the one that you and your doctor determine is most appropriate for your personal situation.
A good bariatric program will help you through the insurance requirements.
Many insurance companies provide coverage for weight loss surgery if it is considered a medical necessity and you meet the National Institute of Health (NIH) requirements for bariatric surgery.
The NIH requirements are:
Eligible patients should have a BMI of 40 or higher (morbidly obese) or a BMI of at least 35 with co-morbidities (obesity related health conditions) such as diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, high cholesterol, or hypertension (high blood pressure).
Eligible patients must have attempted and failed at previous weight loss efforts and pass a psychiatric evaluation to be recommended for bariatric surgery.
Most insurance companies require a Letter of Medical Necessity, a statement written by your doctor detailing your health condition and why surgery is necessary. Many insurance companies will not consider a request for weight loss surgery unless a patient has previously participated in a medically supervised weight loss program. This type of program includes diet, exercise, or medication for weight loss monitored by a doctor.
In addition to the Letter of Medical Necessity written by your doctor, diet records, medical records, medical tests, records for medically supervised diet attempts, receipts for exercise equipment, gym memberships, or diet programs such as Weight Watchers may be necessary to obtain coverage.
A good bariatric program provides access to a post-surgery support system for exercise, nutrition, and psychological support.
Weight loss surgery requires permanent changes in diet, both in food choices and how much food is eaten. The food consumed should be low in calories and high in nutrition, focusing on low-fat proteins and sides of healthy fruits and vegetables. Since food portions are small, the food must provide adequate nutrients to the body for good health. Nutritional supplements will be necessary, especially for malabsorptive bariatric procedures.
You will need to include exercise into your daily routines. Besides the many health benefits exercise provides, it helps to maximize weight loss, as well as preserve and protect muscle tissue during rapid weight loss.
Support after bariatric surgery is an integral part of keeping on track with diet and lifestyle changes to achieve and maintain weight loss. A good program should provide nutritional counseling, exercise instruction, and psychological counseling. A really good program connects patients with weight loss surgery support groups and on-line forums to interact with other bariatric patients who can relate to your issues and challenges.
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