Bariatric Surgery Step by Step
Please note: The
steps
listed below require approval from your individual insurance plan. For
managed care and HMO patients, please remember to get referrals when
necessary from your primary care physician.
| 1. Once you have
obtained a letter of medical necessity from your primary care
physician, then you can register for one of the mandatory
Bariatric Orientation Seminars. |
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| 2. You then
undergo a consultation with a surgeon to discuss benefits, risks
and expectations/considerations of surgery, and you are given
educational materials to review. |
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| 3A. If the
surgeon decides that you are a qualified candidate and you
choose to pursue the surgery option, then within five days of
your consultation with the surgeon, you will undergo laboratory
tests, including a series of X-rays and an electrocardiogram
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3B. If you
do NOT qualify for surgery, then you will be referred to a
nutritionist at the Ellis Hospital Bariatric Care Center and
back to your primary care physician to develop and pursue
alternative weight loss options. |
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4. You must then undergo
consultation/screening by a psychologist, nutritionist, and
endocrinologist. Other clearances might also be necessary (i.e.,
for pulmonary and other conditions that might increase risks of
surgery).
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| 5. You must
adhere to a medically-supervised diet program for at least two
weeks prior to surgery. If you do not follow the diet program,
then surgery may be delayed and/or canceled. |
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| 6. If your
surgeon gives you final clearance, then about two weeks before
surgery, you will complete a pre-admission visit at Ellis
Hospital (visit includes examination by the surgical physicians'
assistant, a meeting with an anesthesiologist and additional lab
tests). |
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| 7. You will
then undergo surgery (either open or laparoscopic) at Ellis
Hospital. |
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| 8. Your
post-operative care will begin with visits from a nutritionist
the day after your surgery and prior to your discharge. Hospital
stays average two to five days. |
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| 9.
Follow-up appointments with your surgeon will be scheduled. |
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