How to Get Started With Weight Loss Surgery
If you’re considering weight loss surgery, it can be overwhelming to know how to start the process. We want to help make the start of meeting your surgical weight loss goals as easy as possible. Here is a detailed outline of the steps you'll need to take before your surgery.
1. Watch Our New Patient Seminar
The first step in the bariatric surgery process is to watch our new patient seminar. The seminar is virtual and one hour long. You can watch it anytime.
2. Pass a Short Quiz
A short quiz follows the seminar. All the information in the quiz is in the seminar. Our team receives a confirmation email when you pass the quiz, and we reach out to you with next steps.
3. Fill out Forms
After you pass the quiz, we send you three forms to fill out:
- Intake form
- Health assessment
- Substance use agreement
Our team sends you these forms over . We help you set up a MyChart if you don’t have one. You can fill out paper forms if you don’t want a MyChart.
4. Review Your Eligibility
Our team reviews your eligibility for surgery after you fill out your forms. Your insurance and your surgeon set your criteria for surgery. Learn more about eligibility criteria.
Our team asks you for a copy of insurance information if you’re eligible for surgery. You can try our medical weight management program if surgery isn’t the best option for you.
5. Verify Your Insurance Coverage
Not all insurance plans cover bariatric surgery. Call your insurance company and ask if bariatric surgery is a covered benefit. Please ask your insurance company the following questions:
- Is bariatric surgery a covered benefit?
- What are the requirements that I need to meet before you approve my surgery?
- Is Ï㽶ÊÓƵ of Utah Health a covered facility?
- Is my surgeon a covered provider?
Your insurance company may want the following codes for the specific types of bariatric surgery:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass— 43644
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy—43775
Do I Have to Lose Weight Before I Have Surgery?
Some insurance companies ask you to lose weight under medical supervision before they cover your surgery. This is to show that you can make important diet and lifestyle changes before and after surgery.
6. Schedule Your First Appointment
First, you schedule appointments with your surgeon, dietician, exercise physiologist, and psychologist. We order some labs that you must draw before your first appointment.
Your first appointment with your provider includes the following steps:
- All patients must pay the entire program fee of $450.
- Your bariatric provider schedules an EGD.
- Your bariatric provider may order other required tests depending on your needs.
Preparing for Surgery
Before you’re ready for surgery, you must meet several criteria. We provide classes, therapy, and other resources to ensure you meet these criteria.
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Registered dietician classes—You must take monthly, in-person classes with your registered dietician. Bariatric patients usually take about three classes, but your surgeon may ask you to take up to 12. You schedule a pre-operative appointment with your dietician after you complete your last class. You must take a knowledge assessment and present the bottle of vitamins you’ll take after surgery. We sell the bottles at the clinic.
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Psychological assessment—A psychologist meets with you for a psychological assessment. The assessment is a series of two appointments that you schedule along with your other first appointments. Your psychologist may order more required therapy depending on your situation.
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Pre-operative appointment—Nurses check your criteria frequently. We help you schedule a pre-operative appointment with your surgeon once you meet all criteria for surgery. After your pre-operative appointment, you’re ready to schedule a date for surgery.
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Diet—You start the pre-operative diet about four weeks before your surgery.
Start the Process
Do I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery isn't for people who are mildly overweight. Instead, it's for severely obese people who are 100 pounds or more overweight and their health is at risk.
What Weight Loss Surgery Is Best For Me?
There are several types of bariatric surgery. Choosing the best surgery for you will depend on your weight loss goals and preferences.
Start the Process
If you're thinking about weight loss surgery, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We help make the process as easy as possible.
