What to Expect during Treatment by our North Texas Weight Loss Surgeons

Bariatric Solutions strives to provide seamless service at every stage of the treatment process for our patients in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma communities.  Our weight loss surgeons, Dr. Scott Stowers and Dr. Dirk Rodriguez, are dedicated to helping patients every step of the way, from the initial consultation to post-operative appointments.  Patients who are considering bariatric surgery can expect the treatment process to involve the following steps:

* Attend one of our free, informational seminars (if possible)
* Schedule an individual consult with one of our weight loss surgeons
* Develop a treatment plan with physician (i.e. Determine surgery option, dates, etd.)
* Meet with our Insurance Specialist to discuss insurance criteria and/or financing options
* Complete Medical Assessments
* Acquire Insurance Approval or Financing
* Attend a Pre-Operative Bariatric Surgery Education Class
* Schedule Surgery Date
* Surgery
* Follow-up appointments and progress evaluations

Step 1 – Attend a Free, Weight Loss Surgery Informational Seminar

Our free, weight loss surgery informational seminars are held throughout the year in different locations around the Metroplex.  Seminars offer patients an opportunity to meet with one of our surgeons and learn about the benefits of each of the three surgeries that are offered: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery, LAP-BAND® System surgery, or gastric sleeve surgery.  The surgeon is available to answer any questions that you might have about the surgeries, as well as provide you with information about life post-surgery. Our informational seminars are not mandatory, so you are welcome to schedule a physician consultation if you are unable or would prefer not to attend.

View Our Seminar Schedule

Step 2 – Schedule a Consultation with Our Weight Loss Surgeon

The second step is to contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our weight loss surgeons.  Before your initial consultation, you will fill out a questionnaire regarding your medical history, general health and weight control issues.  All of the information that you
provide on the questionnaire is strictly confidential.  The information is used to determine whether you are a candidate for surgery.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Step 3 – Develop a Treatment Plan

Once you have met with one of our surgeons, you will visit one of our offices in either Decatur or Las Colinas to consult with our weight loss surgeon and choose the form of bariatric surgery that best suits your needs.  This consultation also involves a brief examination by our surgical staff.  For your reference, we will prepare a written copy of your treatment plan and a list of the diagnostic tests and consultations required to prepare you for surgery. 

Step 4 – Meet with our Insurance Specialist

If you are a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery, we will assist you in contacting your insurance company to find out whether your policy covers the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery, LAP-BAND® System surgery, or gastric sleeve surgery.  Since it takes some time to gather and process this information, it is important to begin this step immediately after your candidacy has been established.  Your insurance company will probably want documentation of your health and weight history, any prescriptions you are taking, and records of any weight-related medical care you have received.

Step 5 – Complete Medical Assessments

Before your surgery, you will need to complete several tests, assessments, and consults.  These include mandatory nutritional and psychological examinations and any additional assessments that may be necessary.

Step 6 – Acquire Insurance Approval

When you have completed all the necessary assessments and submitted the documents necessary for your insurance company (see step 4), we will submit a letter of recommendation to your insurance company requesting approval of your bariatric surgery.  It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months for an insurance company to return its decision.  If you are denied, Bariatric Solutions will help you investigate alternative methods of payment, including insurance appeals and self-pay options.

Step 7– Attend a Pre-Operative Bariatric Surgery Education Class

At our metroplex offices, our weight loss surgeons and team coordinate a patient workshop to educate patients about their bariatric surgery options, what to expect after weight loss surgery, nutritional and psychological aspects of weight loss treatment, and other issues.  The workshop takes about four hours, during which we present treatment information, discuss the risks and complications of surgery, provide information on post-surgery lifestyle changes and answer any questions.  We encourage patients to bring a family member or friend for moral support.

Step 8– Schedule Surgery and Clinic Visit

Once your method of payment has been settled, you can schedule your surgery and a pre-operative visit.  During this visit, our weight loss surgeon and bariatric nurse coordinator will review your tests, medical history, and treatment plan and provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions.

Step 9 – Undergo Weight Loss Surgery

Each surgery has its own hospital stay requirements. The details of the surgical procedures, themselves, and of what to expect in the hospital, are covered in the patient education class (see step 7).

Step 10 – Receive Follow-up Care

In the days, weeks, and months after your surgery, you will have several mandatory follow-up visits:

* 5 to 7 days – surgical incisions are checked for proper healing
* 1 month – evaluation by our weight loss surgeon, psychological and nutritional counseling as needed
* 3 months – assessment of diet, nutrition, and exercise routine; psychological follow-up as needed
* 6 months – evaluation by our weight loss surgeon; blood sample taken as needed by primary care physician
* 9 months – assessment of diet, nutrition, and exercise routine
* 12 months – evaluation by our weight loss surgeon; blood sample taken as needed by primary care physician

Losing weight and keeping it off is a life-long process.  The Bariatric Solutions team is committed to helping our patients throughout this process.  Every year, patients return to our offices for evaluation by our weight loss surgeons.  We also provide several post-operative services, including obesity surgery support programs, as well as counseling services and past surgery consulting and care for patients who have had procedures performed at other weight loss treatment centers.

At Bariatric Solutions, our weight loss surgeons and team seek to make receiving bariatric treatment as simple and free from stress as possible.  To begin your treatment process, schedule a consultation with either Scott Stowers, D.O. or Dirk Rodriguez, M.D. today.

[ Top ]