Is Bariatric Surgery the right choice for me?
Once a person decides that he or she is interested in weight loss surgery, the first step is to gather more information about the surgery and decide whether it is the appropriate step to take. To be considered for bariatric surgery, you must go through a thorough screening and evaluation process. This helps to ensure that this is the best decision for you and your health.
By attending a bariatric info session with Dr. Shillingford, potential patients can gather more information about the different types of weight loss surgeries offered, the post-surgical lifestyle, and other important topics.
Are you a candidate?
Weight Loss Surgery offers important health benefits; however, it is not for everyone. In order to undergo bariatric surgery, patients must be overweight. Anyone with a body mass index higher than 35 is considered severely obese and may be a good candidate. Those who are somewhat less obese but are suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or other obesity-related health problems will also be considered for weight loss surgery at our center. Patients with a BMI of less than 35 will be considered on a case by case basis; our center is well experienced and equipped to operate on patients with BMI less than 35. To help determine whether you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, you can begin by calculating your BMI and also fill out our patient forms and bring them with you to our practice.
Patients must also be psychologically prepared to undergo treatment. They must be ready to commit to a very different lifestyle, with strict dietary and exercise requirements.
Info Sessions
For those interested in weight loss surgery, Dr. Shillingford offers free info sessions. Risks, benefits, potential complications and our approach to the weight loss process are all discussed in great detail.
Financing
Considering the cost of treatment is an important part of deciding whether to undergo weight loss surgery. Our staff works with patients to fill out financial paperwork, and in many cases, insurance will cover weight loss surgery as a medical necessity. For patients whose insurance providers will not cover the cost of treatment, we have arranged with third parties to offer a number of affordable financing plans.
Contact Us
If you are ready to explore weight loss surgery, contact us or attend a free information session.
I have decided to have Bariatric Surgery. What’s next?
What You Need to Do:
- The first step is to schedule your attendance at the Information Session.
- Make an appointment with your primary care doctor and ask them to provide us a letter of support endorsing you as a candidate for bariatric surgery and outlining the health problems to be addressed with surgery.
- Provide us with your complete weight loss history.
- Finally, make an appointment with Dr. Shillingford to discuss details about the choice of surgery and postoperative expectations.
What We Do:
- We will submit a letter of medical necessity, completed health questionnaire and any other pertinent paperwork to the insurance company with the correct benefits and contact information of the patient in an efficient manner.
- Upon confirmation of covered benefits, we will be happy to refer for testing and evaluation with a mental health professional as determined by your insurance plan.
- After your psychological evaluation, our team meets to discuss each case. Upon approval by our team and written prior authorization from your insurance provider, surgery will be scheduled at either Northwest Medical Center or Coral Springs Medical Center.
- Pre-operative education includes appointments with Dr. Shillingford, nutritionist, and nurse educator.
- Patients will need to have preoperative blood tests, EKG and chest X-ray along with clearance from their primary care physicians and other health care consultants if necessary. Some people may require stress test and/or sleep study prior to scheduling surgery.
- All follow-up care and appointments are with Dr. Shillingford in the West Boca office.
