Which surgery is right for me?
We do three different surgeries at Wesley. After attending an informational seminar where you will learn more about the surgeries, you will have a one-on-one consult with the bariatric surgeon. The two of you will review your health history and your lifestyle. The surgeon may order medical tests to rule out certain conditions. With all of that information, he will guide you in deciding what is right for you. More info.
How will surgery change my life?
Just like medical weight loss, surgical weight loss requires a commitment to meal planning and exercise. Creating new healthy lifestyle patterns makes the weight loss surgery more successful. Dietary changes and vitamin supplements will be a lifelong commitment. Exercise makes the weight loss surgery much more effective in reaching your goal weight. Wesley offers a support group where you can meet other surgical weight loss patients and share your experiences. More info.
Which surgery is more successful?
Each surgery has benefits and risk. In general, about 60 to 70 percent of excess body weight is lost the first year after the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The sleeve gastrectomy range is 40 to 60 percent. The gastric band provides a slower weight loss, with about 30 percent of excess body weight lost the first year. Surgery is the first step toward healthier lifestyle choices. Ongoing nutritional counseling, active involvement in an exercise program and peer-to-peer support are essential to achieve the best results. More info.
All weight loss surgeries are designed to be permanent. In emergency situations, the gastric band can be removed.
Is surgical weight loss safe?
Yes. Weight loss surgery techniques have advanced dramatically over the past 10 years. Using the minimally invasive laparoscopic approach, recovery time and pain have decreased greatly. Weight loss surgery has a similar risk of death as other laparoscopic surgeries, such as gallbladder removal. With the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, there is a small risk of gastric pouch leakage. The gastric band has a small risk of band slippage or band erosion that may require a return to surgery.
How long is surgery and when can I return to work?
Gastric band surgery is an outpatient surgery lasting one to two hours. You can go home the same day as you have surgery, and return to work in one week. Sleeve gastrectomy and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass last two to four hours. You stay in the hospital two or three days and return to work about two weeks after surgery.
What are the criteria required for insurance to pay for weight loss surgery?
Most insurance companies have the following criteria for bariatric surgery:
Can I afford surgery?
The associated cost of living with obesity and related illnesses is more than $18,000 per year. Insurance companies are realizing that surgical weight loss actually decreases overall health costs, so more of them are covering one or more of the operations we do at Wesley. Self-pay and financing options are also available if your insurance doesn’t cover weight loss surgery. More info.
What are the benefits of weight loss surgery?
More research is showing the benefits of weight loss surgery. Many conditions associated with obesity are decreased or resolved with weight loss surgery. Some of the diseases that decrease or are resolved include Type II diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, gout, gastric reflux – GERD, asthma, high cholesterol and elevated triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, stress, urinary incontinence and infertility. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients have a significant decrease in the risk of developing breast, colon and pancreatic cancers.
In addition to the health benefits, weight loss after surgery allows you to engage in activities that you have given up due to your weight. Keeping up with your kids, going on vacation, taking a job requiring public speaking – many of these activities will be options after surgery.
How do I get started?
The first step on the weight loss journey is to attend the informational seminar conducted by our medical director. At the seminar, you will receive: medical director. At the seminar, you will receive:
Fill out the medical history form in advance.
This information is essential to working with your insurance company on coverage for surgery. Download medical history form.
I have questions. Who can I talk to before the seminar?
Our staff is available to answer question you have before and after the seminar. Our bariatric nurse is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 316.962.2066. More Info.