Minimally Invasive Weight Loss Surgery

Most insurance plans require a BMI of >40 or 35-39.9 with at least one health-related diagnosis for a patient to qualify for weight loss surgery. Qualifying conditions vary by insurance plan but typically include diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.

Your insurance may cover weight loss surgery and associated costs. However, it's important to confirm this with your insurance company. Many plans require you to complete a weight management program first. Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to verify your coverage. Ask if your policy includes coverage for diagnosis code E66.01 and CPT codes 43644 and/or 43775. Our team can also help you understand the details of your plan.

Returning to work depends on the individual. Most people can return in about two weeks, but those with less active jobs may return sooner.

Typically, after having weight loss surgery, patients stay in the hospital for just one night.

Most patients lose about 60% of their excess weight after weight loss surgery. For instance, if someone needs to lose 100 pounds, they can expect to lose around 60 pounds. Results can vary based on the surgery type, health conditions, and how well the patient follows the program.

Check out the Bariatric Surgical Risk/Benefit Calculator from the American College of Surgeons to estimate your possible weight loss.

Protein is crucial for healing after surgery and for weight loss. After weight loss surgery, you'll follow a liquid diet for three weeks, drinking shakes high in protein but low in fat and sugar. As you start eating solid foods again, keep including protein-rich foods.

Some people choose plastic surgery to remove extra skin, but it depends on different factors. If you have questions, ask your healthcare team! Also, please note that your insurance may not cover this procedure.