Date and Time Mar 11, 2010 | 4:35 am
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Starting Our Program


   
Becky Aschoff RN, CBN
Certified Bariatric Nurse
Program Manager






 

The LAP-BAND® and Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass are tools to assist you in weight loss.  Our program requires several different tests and consultations prior to surgery.

Listed below are some of the tests and consultations required prior to your weight loss surgery.

FIRST STEP

  • Full day information seminar; held every Wednesday / Thursday from 8:45am to approximately 4pm
  • This seminar day provides you with an extensive informational seminar about the Lap-Band and the Gastric Bypass surgery.
  • You meet one on one with our Nurse Practitioner and Dietitian who both do a special report needed by all insurance companies.
  • You also meet with our Insurance Specialist.
  • Then you will meet with our Certified Bariatric Nurses who go over a list of tests/ consults necessary to proceed with surgery. 
     
DO NOT PROCEED WITH ANY PRE-OPERATIVE TESTS/CONSULTS we must stress the importance of checking with your personal insurance carrier in regards to coverage for these procedures prior to initiating any of these tests or consultations. When asking your insurance company, be very specific – ask if the “LAP-BAND®” procedure or Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass is a covered benefit “within my policy”. You must also check with your employer’s Human Resources Department to ensure this is a covered benefit by your employer.

The following are a list of standard pre-operative tests:

???Fasting blood work
•  CBC, CMP, Total Cholesterol panel, TSH, PTH, HgbA1C, Insulin level, Iron sat, Iron %, Folate, Feritin, Thiamine, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D 25 (OH), Calcium, Alk Phos, Homocysteine

???Upper GI x-ray
• This is an x-ray of the stomach; the test will require you to drink a special solution that will coat the inside of the stomach and x-ray pictures will be taken showing the outside curvatures of the stomach

???Gallbladder sonogram
•  If you are having the gastric bypass surgery this test is needed. A gallbladder sonogram is an x-ray looking at your gallbladder

???Primary Care Physician
•  A letter of medical necessity from your primary doctor confirming how obesity has affected your health. A sample letter will be provided to you at the full day seminar. Some insurance companies require additional information from your primary care physician; which our insurance specialist will be able to talk to you about on your seminar day.

???Gastroenterologist consult
•  An Upper Endoscopy will be needed also known as an EGD. This is a procedure ordered and performed by a Gastroenterologist. An EGD allows the gastroenterologist to evaluate the inside of your stomach.

???Cardiologist consult
•  You will need to be seen by a cardiologist; who will determine what cardiac testing you may need prior to receiving “cardiac clearance” for weight loss surgery.

???Pulmonologist consult
•  Depending upon a person’s health a pulmonary consult maybe necessary. Some insurance companies may require pulmonary clearance from a pulmonologist; which our insurance specialist will be able to talk to you about on your seminar day.

???Behavioral evaluation
•  A face to face interview with a therapists within our program for a behavioral evaluation

???Support group attendance
•  Attendances at support groups prior to surgery are required. Support groups are held three to four times each week and are free of charge to all patients within our program.

We must stress the importance of checking with your personal insurance carrier in regards to coverage for these procedures prior to initiating any of these tests or consultations. When asking your insurance company, be very specific – ask if the “LAP-BAND®” procedure or Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass is a covered benefit “within my policy”. You must also check with your employer’s Human Resources Department to ensure this is a covered benefit by your employer.