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General Questions about Bariatric Surgery Table of Contents
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If you are not a candidate for Weight Loss Surgery, click here for information on non-surgical options. Why do some people need bariatric surgery? Obese individuals are at far greater risk of dying of an obesity-associated disease (such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, respiratory disease and others). Obesity accounts for more than 280,000 deaths annually in the United States and will soon overtake smoking as the primary preventable cause of death if current trends continue. Weight loss by conventional therapies, such as diet, exercise, behavioral modification, or by anti-obesity medications, have a less than one-percent long-term success rate for obese individuals. Weight-loss surgery can help the morbidly obese achieve long-term success. For more information, please read the editorial Obesity in the United States on the Journals of the American Medical Association's website. Back to TopWhat is the difference between being overweight and being obese? By definition overweight is a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29 and obesity is defined as a BMI greater than or equal to 30. Back to TopWhat are the surgical options? U.S. Bariatric offers both the Adjustable Gastric Band (LAP-BAND™) and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as surgical options in our Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando offices. (The Orlando office also offers the Duodenal Switch.) Choosing between the LAP-BAND™ and the Roux-en-Y procedures involves many factors, including the patient's preference and consideration of the patient's eating habits. The final decisions is best made as a team effort when discussed between the patient and the surgeon. To learn more about surgical weight loss, the advantages and risks, and what is the "gold standard," please attend one of our Bariatric Information Sessions. Back to TopWhat are the risks of these surgeries?As with any surgery there exists the risk of complications. The U.S. Bariatric clinical staff excel in managing postoperative surgical complications. Our medical professionals fully educate potential patients to the risks of surgery during the educational process. You may learn more about possible complications by attending one of our Bariatric Information Sessions. Back to TopHow much weight can I expect to lose after gastric bypass surgery? U.S. Bariatric offers adjustable gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery. The difference in weight loss can vary according to the motivation of the patient and the procedure he or she chose. Usually those who choose the LAP-BAND procedure experience a more gradual weight loss. Our gastric-bypass patients generally enjoy faster results. Our Roux-en-Y gastric-bypass patients achieve a loss of at least 60% of excess body weight after six months (on average), and after 12 months at least 75% of excess weight is lost. Back to TopHow much weight can one expect to regain after surgery? Studies show that bariatric patients can have long-term success with their weight loss, but this is dependant on a life-long commitment to better health and adherence to a multidisciplinary program, which, unfortunately, many bariatric centers do not offer. The multidisciplinary program at U.S. Bariatric has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the world, helping to ensure the long-term success of our patients. Back to TopWill my insurance cover these surgical procedures? Weight-loss surgery restores health and saves lives, and most insurance carriers will help cover its costs. Coverage is dependent upon your individual plan and benefits. For us to answer this question correctly, we must rely upon a completed Patient Profile, which is distributed at the Bariatric Information Session. Until we receive a completed Patient Profile, there is no way of knowing what benefits we may get for you. Patients often have difficulty with their medical insurance company, even when the surgery is a covered benefit. Some companies will tell their policyholders that bariatric surgery is not covered, even though it is covered on a selective basis. On your behalf, we will aggressively pursue approval, but we must first receive your completed Patient Profile. In addition, since it has been recognized that obesity is a medical disease, physician-directed weight treatment programs are tax deductible. Therefore, any out-of-pocket expense is minimized. It may also be helpful to you to read Getting Approved the First Time from www.obesitylaw.com and Denied Care? from MSN Money. Also visit our Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance. Back to TopHow long will I be in the hospital?
Length
of hospital stay for either an open or
laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery is about a
three to four days, and less than 24 hours for a
LAP-BAND patient. The time spent in the
hospital depends upon the individual, his or her
co-morbidities, and whether or not there are
complications. Back to TopWhat happens to my excess skin? The
amount of excess skin depends on the total weight
loss, age, if the person smokes and how much the
skin was stretched. About 25% of patients
elect to have plastic surgery. Back to TopHow experienced are U.S. Bariatric surgeons? U.S. Bariatric surgeons and clinicians are among the most experienced in the world, with the expertise of thousands of bariatric procedures. Our multidisciplinary program has been recognized as being one of the most comprehensive in the world, and our expertise is consistently utilized in the training of new bariatric professionals across the United States. Back to Top |
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