Frequently Asked Questions About Bariatric Surgery

1. Which procedure do you recommend?
   There are three main procedures performed currently in the US. The Lap Band, the gastric sleeve, and the gastric bypass. All three procedures work and have good results when performed by an experienced surgeon and on a patient willing to follow instructions and make lifestyle changes. The most common procedure performed in America is the Lap Band.
2. How much weight can I lose?
   The first order of business is to determine how overweight a patient really is. The average patient will lose about 60-70% of their excess weight after surgery. This means that if someone is 100 pounds overweight, the average patient will lose and keep off about 60-70 pounds. Of course, some patients lose more and some less, depending on their willingness to stick to lifestyle change.
3. Why am I overweight?
   Everyone's weight basically comes down to how much you eat, what you eat, and how much real exercise you do. In general, it has little to do with your job, stress level, family life, etc. Our job is to help educate our patients so that they understand proper portion size, how to eat, prepare, and recognize appropriate foods, and on how to perform proper exercise.
4. Does my insurance cover the surgery?
   Most patients have coverage through their insurance. Look at your policy and see if 'bariatric surgery' or 'treatment of obesity' is a covered benefit. We can help you to figure this out. After an office evaluation we can determine your coverage status and help to get you approved if you are a candidate. Some patients are covered but only after they fulfill certain requirement set forth by their insurance company.
5. How much does surgery cost?
   Most patients are covered under their insurance plans. However, approximately 20% of patients do have to 'pay out of pocket' for their surgery/hospital stay. Surgery is not inexpensive, but when compared to the alternative of paying for the complications of obesity down the road, the cost is reasonable. Because we do a high volume of cases and have good results, the hospital makes every effort to keep the costs as low as possible for our patients. This can be discussed on an individual basis in the office, as each patient has different needs.
6. How long do I stay in the hospital?
   Lap band surgery usually requires a 4-6 hour outpatient hospital visit. The sleeve and bypass procedures usually require about a 2 day hospital stay. Most patients are back to normal activities within 2 weeks, some within 2 days.
7. Why should I have surgery at a Center of Excellence?
   When you make the decision to have bariatric surgery, make sure that it is performed by a surgeon and/or facility that is associated with a Center of Excellence. This is a designation given based on a high volume of cases, good outcomes, and following appropriate protocols that help to optimize good patient outcomes. It has been shown that bariatric surgery performed at lower volume centers have higher rates of complications.

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Dr. George Woodman is a bariatric surgeon and director at MidSouth Bariatrics. Dr. Woodman has performed over 3500 laparoscopic bariatric procedures to help those patients lose over 200,000 pounds. All opinions expressed here are those of their authors and not of their employer. Information provided here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. Call 888.777.5959 for more information.