Best advice when considering bariatric surgery
When I talk with patients, I realize everyone has their own pathway to bariatric surgery.
We begin to see patients with body mass indexes (BMI) over 35. BMI is an index value that we use to quantify if a patient is low, normal or overweight. Once a patient is above 30, they are considered obese. Patients start to be considered for surgery after their BMI is over 35.
Many of the patients we see have serious health problems that are in large part due to their weight: like coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes or sleep apnea.
Our patients have been struggling with their weight for long time – and they just haven’t seen any results. The diets just don’t work for them. They’ve almost lost hope.
That’s where we come in.
When you’re ready to make a significant change in your life – we can help you.
My advice – do your homework:
- Take time to watch and listen to myself and other staff doctors in this video explain the procedures and how we can help you. You’ll learn more about weight loss surgery and the benefits of a medical weight loss program.
- Think about your goals — for your health, for your family, for your long-term well-being.
- Think about your financial situation; could you afford to pay for the surgery if insurance doesn’t cover it?
These are all important factors in your decision. Once you’ve addressed these, you’ll be better equipped to make the decision about bariatric surgery.
We can help people lose weight without surgery, too. Medications have helped many people lose weight. Many other patients benefit from the shakes, protein bars and meal replacement plans we provide.
We have lots of options to help you take off those pounds. Our medical specialists will explain all those options – and help you figure out what’s right for you.
It’s in your best interest to lose the weight. It’s better for your health. It can benefit you financially, and many patients are able to stop taking a large percentage of the medications they were on before (such as diabetes or hypertension medications). You’ll need fewer doctor appointments, too.
Your insurance plan will determine whether surgery will be covered. If you need to self-pay, we can work with you – and set up a payment plan that works for you. We believe in what we do and know we can help you improve your quality of life.
Is it time for you to learn more about bariatric surgery, and decide whether it is right for you?
