Bariatric surgery is the most effective weight-loss tool for patients who are obese and have found little to no long-term improvement from conventional weight loss methods.
This procedure is not just any other surgery. For one, you can’t just expect changes after surgery without doing your part (i.e. making the necessary lifestyle changes). And second, you have to meet certain criteria to qualify for it.
Who are the candidates for bariatric surgery?
Patients who are morbidly obese (with a Body Mass Index of over 35) or those with obesity-related diseases (also known as co-morbidities) such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea are normal candidates for bariatric surgery.
For insurance coverage of bariatric surgery, you may have to show proof that you have tried conventional weight loss methods, including medically supervised dieting, and still can not achieve a healthy weight.
Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons in Knoxville has an online calculator you can use to determine your BMI.
What’s next after qualifying for bariatric surgery?
At Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons, the process leading up to surgery takes months. It then takes a lifetime commitment to maintaining the results achieved from surgery.
Our very first step in the process is attending our FREE bariatric seminar. This info series, which is available both online and in-person aims to educate you about your different bariatric surgery options so you can make a more informed choice.
If you choose to move forward, subsequent steps involve verification of your insurance benefits, initial consultation with your surgeon and our patient advocate, completion of supervised weight loss plan, nutrition and exercise evaluation, psychological evaluation, clinical clearance and lab tests, insurance authorization, and finally, pre-operative education.
Ready to make serious changes this year? Watching our free bariatric seminar is the FIRST step. Questions about the process? Call the Foothills Weight Loss team at (865) 984-3413.
Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons is part of Premier Surgical Bariatrics in Knoxville, Tennessee. Foothills is affiliated with the Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery, part of Covenant Health Bariatric Services.