Before Surgery — what to expect
Contact us. The first step toward surgical weight loss with Obesity Solutions is easy. Call us — 770-534-0110 or toll-free at 877-921-0110 — or use our “contact us” form to let us know you’re interested. Our team will send you an invitation to our next informational seminar.
Weight loss surgery seminar. To join our program, simply attend a free seminar on weight loss surgery and Obesity Solutions’ expert approach to helping you combat morbid obesity. We usually schedule at least three of these 90-minute lectures a month.
At this presentation — a required step in our surgical weight loss program — our team will explain why you are unable to lose weight (it's not your fault!) and what can be done to help you lose up to 70-90% of your excess body weight through surgical options that will help enforce life-long changes.
At the seminar, patients who have undergone the procedures can answer questions, along with our physicians and members of our team.
After the seminar, if you feel Obesity Solutions can help you pursue your goal through weight loss surgery, we follow a clear-cut, effective process for ensuring the most successful outcome possible for you. We understand that at this point, you’re anxious to get going. But as our patients have said, the pre-op preparation was a worthwhile investment as they look back because they’re better equipped and needed the time to understand why they are obese and how to effectively fight the disease of obesity.
Application packet. Our process begins at the seminar, when you pick up our Application Packet to take home and fill out. These in-depth packets include information on the Obesity Solutions program and forms requiring your extensive medical history. When you've completed every form and returned the packet to our bariatric clinic coordinator, you can move forward in our program.
Application review meeting. One of our nurses will phone you to review your application and health history. Then your surgery coordinator will contact you to schedule an education class and a consultation with your surgeon. After your consultation, the surgery coordinator will go over the rest of the program requirements and any additional requirements by your insurance company.
Psychological Preparation. In addition to educating you on the weight loss procedure and its physical effects on your body, we also help you prepare for the psychological changes associated with massive weight loss. We refer to a psychologist well known for his expertise in working with weight loss surgery candidates. You will undergo psychological testing to determine your emotional and psychological fitness for weight loss surgery. We want every patient who enters our program to be as prepared as possible for a successful transformation to take place in their lives. The testing and interview will produce a recommendation for your long-term success.
Insurance approval. Once you have successfully completed all of our program requirements and your insurance requirements, your surgery coordinator will submit the request for surgery authorization to your insurance carrier for approval. Most companies take 7 to 45 days to respond to the request. Our Insurance Considerations page may supply help with this aspect of the program.
Scheduling surgery. Once that approval is received, we contact you to set the pre-surgery testing date at the hospital, a pre-operative consultation with your surgeon and the surgery date.
The surgery. You are now ready for your surgery. There will be some other preparations for the day of the surgery, such as not eating after a certain time, and then some very stringent dietary and behavioral changes you must follow after your surgery. But these differ depending on which weight loss surgery you choose. Obesity Solutions will educate you on those before you commit to the procedure, as they will be lifelong changes that can affect your choice and your qualification for the program.
To learn what to expect AFTER surgery, click here ...