Comprehensive Bariatric Program Process
Bariatric surgery is an elective surgery. Patients must have a body mass index of 35 or greater, serious medical co-morbidities, and documented failure of previous weight loss attempts. This surgery is intended to improve your health. The process is lengthy; however, the end result is a well informed, happier, healthier patient. The process listed is an outline - remember, each individual may vary.
1. INFORMATIONAL SEMINARS:
Dr. Selwyn presents these sessions a couple of times per month. Our goal at the information session is for you to meet the surgeon, obtain knowledge of bariatric surgical procedures, understand the process needed to under go bariatric surgery, and ask questions. Each session is approximately one hour with questions to follow. To register to attend an interest group, please call 715.258.5868 or 877.295.5868. Insurance information will be collected at this time if you wish.
2. PATIENT INFORMATION PACKET:
Prior to us starting the process we will need you to complete the patient questionnaire and obtain a letter of recommendation from your primary care physician in support of you having bariatric surgery. This information needs to be mailed or faxed to our office or dropped off in the surgery department. We will then be in contact with you to begin the next step.
3. INSURANCE INFORMATION:
We do ask that you call your insurance company to see if "obesity surgery" is a covered procedure. After receiving your completed questionnaire and letter of recommendation from your primary doctor, our office also calls your insurance company to see what criteria they require for surgery. Your insurance company may require you to see a dietician several times or have additional testing. At this time we schedule the appointments required by your insurance company. This is a lengthy process that may take up to 6 months or more. Please be patient during this stage of the process. This is a great time to continue your research of the surgery and the lifestyle change.
4. DIET CLASS/CLASSES SCHEDULED:
Our program requires meeting with the dietician. Most insurance companies require 3 months to 1 year of dietary classes. During this time, information is gathered about previous attempts at weight loss. If your insurance requires, you will participate in a supervised weight loss program one on one with the dietician for the amount of time specified by your insurance company. Lastly, the dietician will do your dietary preoperative teaching and follow you through postoperatively.
5. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION:
Psychological evaluations are required for all patients; there are no exceptions. Your psychological evaluation may require you to have ongoing therapy prior to surgery or throughout the surgical process. You must abide by the treatment plan provided in order to be considered a candidate for surgery.
6. CONSULTATION:
You will be scheduled to see the surgeon once you have completed the appointments required by your insurance company. At your consultation appointment the surgeon will review your medical history, the appointments you have completed in the process, and an in depth explanation of the surgery you wish to have. He will also perform a brief physical examination. Please be prepared to spend approximately an hour at the office that day. Additional appointments may be made after your consultation as deemed necessary by the surgeon.
7. SLEEP EVALUATION:
After seeing the surgeon, he may find it necessary for you to undergo a sleep study. This is an appointment with the doctor who specializes in sleep disorders. This doctor will check for the presence of sleep apnea - a serious condition that is characterized by brief interruptions in breathing during sleep.
8. UPPER ENDOSCOPY:
After seeing the surgeon, he may find it necessary to perform an upper endoscopy. During this procedure, performed at the hospital, the surgeon is able to view your entire upper gastrointestinal tract through a scope.
9. SUPPORT GROUP:
The support group meets each month. You must attend at least one support group prior to surgery; there are no exceptions. Make sure you sign in at the support meeting. The time, date, and location will be listed on our web site each month.
10. SURGERY SCHEDULED:
Once our office receives a letter of approval from your insurance company and you have completed all necessary pre-operative requirements it is time to meet with the surgeon once again. At that time the surgeon will explain in detail your preferred surgical procedure and its associated risks. Together we will pick a surgery date. You will sign a consent form and register for any additional pre-surgery appointments. You will need to keep all your appointments or your surgery may be cancelled or postponed.
11. PRE-OPERATIVE EVALUATION/ HISTORY AND PHYSICAL:
Once your surgery is scheduled, our office will make arrangements for you to have a history and physical by your primary doctor. Your family doctor will give us the ok that you are physically ready for surgery.
12. PRE-OPERATIVE EVALUATION/ DIETARY APPOINTMENT:
Once again, you will meet with the dietician to review post-operative diet requirements.
13. PRE-OPERATIVE EVALUATION/ FITNESS EVALUATION:
This evaluation is done by a physical or occupational therapist, located at SAINTS on Hwy 10 East, prior to surgery. The therapist will evaluate you pre-operatively and post-operatively. He or she will establish an exercise routine that is right for you.
14. PRE-OPERATIVE/ PREADMISSIONS APPOINTMENT:
Our office will try and coordinate this appointment with as many other pre-operative appointments as possible. Pre-admission is an appointment at the hospital where all of your pre-procedure requirements are gathered together. Your insurance information will be verified, you will have a chance to meet with the anesthesiologist, and a registered nurse will interview you about prior surgical experiences, health history, and medications. This appointment is mandatory.
15. SURGERY:
Congratulations! This is the first step in your journey to a new healthier lifestyle.