What to Know About the Weight Loss Surgery Program at FHWLS
Bariatric surgery is a multi-disciplinary approach. If you decide to undergo bariatric surgery, you will work with a team of specialists who will provide a comprehensive weight loss program for you.
At Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons in Knoxville, TN, we have an experienced and dedicated bariatric team who can help you in this health journey.
Our team is consists of:
- Dr. Mark Colquitt, Bariatric Surgeon
- Trista Prater, RN, Dr. Colquitt’s Nurse
- Wendy Heidel, Bariatric Nurse Practitioner
- Wendy Crawford, Office Manager
- Lisa Bellah, Front Desk
Each member of our team is excited to be part of your weight loss journey. To learn more about Dr. Colquitt and his team, please visit this page.
Learn about our program at Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons
Weight loss surgery is never a quick fix solution. It takes months to prepare for the surgery and a lifetime of changes to sustain your weight loss efforts.
Here is our bariatric surgery process at Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons:
Step One: Watching our FREE online informational seminar
Bariatric surgery is a life-changing process and we want you to feel good about your decision in going through with it.
The purpose of watching our seminar is to educate you about bariatric surgery – what it is and what you can expect from before, during and after the surgery.
To register to view the online seminar, please visit this link or call our office at (865) 984-3413.
Step Two: Verifying your insurance benefits
Our team will work with your insurance carrier to determine your available insurance benefits for bariatric surgery.
Step Three: Initial consultation with our surgeon and patient advocate
During this initial consultation, you will meet with our Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Mark Colquitt who will review your medical history and ask you about your goals and desires for pursuing bariatric surgery. This information helps our surgeon determine if weight loss surgery is the right tool for you.
You will also start working with our patient advocate who will discuss with you the costs of the surgery, available insurance benefits, and payment options. She will also explain the bariatric surgery process, introduce you to the team, and explain the available support for you (e.g. classes, support groups).
You will then schedule your bloodwork and other tests.
Step Four: Completion of approved and supervised weight-loss plan
Most insurance companies will require documentation that you have followed a medically-supervised weight loss plan for at least six months prior to surgery. We will help you meet this requirement.
Step Five: Consultation with our dietitian and exercise physiologist
You will meet with our dietitian to discuss dietary changes before and after surgery. She will also talk about supplements and why you need them for life after the procedure.
You also get to meet our exercise physiologist where she’ll discuss with you the importance of staying active and appropriate exercise plans after your surgery.
Step Six: Psychological evaluation
You will meet and have a consultation with our behavioral weight loss psychologist. This is a requirement for most insurance companies.
Step Seven: Clinical clearance and lab tests
To determine your health status, you will have pre-surgical testing which will include meeting with our anesthesiologist and doing some lab work. You will also have to go through an electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest x-ray tests.
Step Eight: Insurance authorization
Once the aforementioned steps are done, we will work with your insurance company to obtain the Authorization for Surgery.
Step Nine: Preoperative consultation
We will meet with you once again to provide you with important pre-surgery instructions and what to expect during and after surgery.
Step Ten: Surgery day!
You are expected to arrive two hours before your surgery. Your family or friends may accompany you.
On this day, you will have a brief consultation with your surgeon and receive preoperative medications (including for anti-anxiety).
Bariatric surgery is performed under general anesthesia. We have a state-of-the-art facility to monitor your vitals all throughout the procedure.
After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will be continuously monitored. If there are no complications, you can be released from the hospital after one night of hospital stay for a Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Bypass or after two nights of hospital stay for a Duodenal Switch procedure.
Step Eleven: Follow-up care
We want you to be successful in this journey.
We’ll continually work with you after the procedure through scheduled follow-up visits and support groups.
We look forward to working with you, and we are here for you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. Our office phone number is (865) 984-3413.
Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons is part of Premier Surgical Bariatrics in Knoxville, Tennessee. Foothills is affiliated with the Fort Sanders Regional Center for Bariatric Surgery, part of Covenant Health Bariatric Services.