Bariatric surgery offers life-changing potential. But it requires your full commitment.
With a new process that emphasizes telemedicine visits, Penn Medicine's bariatric surgery program now offers more flexibility than ever before. When you're ready, you'll have our entire team by your side to support your health and wellness goals.
Overview of Penn Medicine's Bariatric Surgery Process
We've simplified our process to provide the same high standards of care while adding flexibility. Committing to a healthier version of yourself has never been more convenient.
Our bariatric surgery process involves multiple visits and takes most patients at least three to six months. Here's a big-picture view of the key steps in our bariatric surgery process:
- Watch a free, online video. The video outlines the steps in our bariatric surgery process and explains the basics of weight loss surgery.
- Have your first consultation. You'll meet with multiple members of our bariatric care team (a surgeon, dietitian and nursing professional) during a virtual or in-person visit. We assess your health and suitability for bariatric surgery and answer any questions you have about the process.
- Undergo new patient medical screenings. If you're a candidate for surgery, you'll undergo a series of medical tests and health screenings. We'll assist with scheduling. Once completed, we'll send all test results and documentation to your insurance provider for approval.
- Prepare for surgery. Over the next few months, you'll meet regularly via virtual or in-person visits with a dietitian and nurse practitioner for medical weight management classes. You'll learn how surgery will change your eating habits and life. You'll also have a psychological consultation. We'll provide all the information you need to prepare for surgery and achieve your wellness goals afterward.
- Have weight loss surgery. We offer a full range of bariatric surgery options at all three hospitals in downtown Philadelphia as well as Chester County Hospital. You can expect to stay in the hospital for one to three nights.
- Connect with lifelong support. You'll check in with your care team often over the first year and then at least annually after that. Our goal is to support your health and wellness goals and help you manage any obstacles.
Preparing for Bariatric Surgery
There are several ways you can prepare for bariatric surgery which are outlined below.
Watch an Online Video on Weight Loss Surgery
As the first step in our process, we ask that you sign up to watch a free online bariatric information session. You can watch the online video when it's convenient for you.
It's a free, no-commitment overview of weight loss surgery and Penn's bariatric surgery program. It also provides a first look at our team (your biggest supporters along this journey). You'll learn about:
- Surgery options
- Bariatric surgery eligibility criteria
- More details about the surgery process
Visit with Your Care Team
Patient safety is our highest priority. Penn's bariatric surgery process is designed to provide safe, high-quality, supportive care. You expect to have most meetings with your care team virtually. Some (about 20 percent of visits) will happen in person.
Telemedicine appointments happen on a secure online video platform. Before each virtual visit, you receive an email with details of the appointment date, time and other important information. This email will also provide instructions about how to access the virtual visit.
At the first visit, you can expect to meet with multiple members of our bariatric surgery team one-on-one:
- A surgeon will explain your surgery options, including which procedure may offer you the most benefits. The surgeon may ask you to sign a consent form to acknowledge you understand the rare potential risks of bariatric surgery.
- A dietitian will conduct a full nutrition assessment to learn more about your nutrition history and other details that may be relevant to your care. You may also discuss future steps in the process, such as what medical weight management means and how it pertains to your weight loss surgery.
- A nurse (or nurse practitioner) assesses your health, takes your medical history and discusses your surgical preparation plan.
Bariatric Surgery Eligibility
At your first visit, our team will determine whether you are a candidate for bariatric surgery. We base this decision on many factors, including your physical and emotional health and eating habits. In rare cases, a larger group of our bariatric surgery team (called an inter-professional review board) reviews complex cases together before approving patients for surgery.
Are you a candidate for bariatric surgery?
Medical Tests and Health Screenings
If you are a candidate for surgery, we'll help you schedule a series of medical tests and health screenings. These test results provide a detailed picture of your physical health and include:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Blood tests
- Cardiac clearance
- Chest x-ray
- Echocardiogram (ECG)
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Liver function tests
- Medical clearance
- Pulmonary function tests
- Sleep study
- Upper gastrointestinal evaluation
Guided Support for Bariatric Surgery Diet and Behavior Changes
For most patients, this step of the process lasts three to six months. During this time, you:
- Complete insurance requirements: Many insurance companies require you to work with a trained medical professional to attempt losing weight using exercise, behavioral therapy or other nonsurgical methods. Health care providers often refer to nonsurgical weight loss methods as medical weight management. We'll communicate to you (and help you complete) any tests or conditions your health insurer requires to approve bariatric surgery.
- Have regular visits with your care team: For several months, you will meet often with a nurse practitioner and a dietitian. Our program gives you the flexibility to schedule visits when it's most convenient for you — anywhere from once a month to once a week. With telemedicine, you can more easily coordinate visits around your daily demands.
- Learn about new diet and lifestyle habits: During these visits, the nurse practitioner and dietitian will help you prepare for the diet and behavior changes that will help you succeed with bariatric surgery. They are a valuable support, cheering your progress and guiding you past obstacles on your care journey.
Psychological Consultation
Bariatric surgery changes your relationship with food, sometimes in unexpected ways. As part of our process, we require every patient to undergo a psychological evaluation before surgery.
Trained mental health professionals from the University of Pennsylvania Center for Weight and Eating Disorders conduct all psychological consultations via virtual visits. After your consultation, the mental health professional provides a professional assessment on whether bariatric surgery is appropriate for you at this time.
The psychological evaluation will assess your:
- Psychiatric history
- Current psychological function
- Weight and dieting history
- Current eating behaviors
- Level of physical activity
During your evaluation, a mental health professional may provide guidance or instruction to help you make the most of this experience. They may:
- Recommend you make behavioral changes to ensure good postoperative results
- Identify or discuss strategies to help you manage potential psychological changes that may happen after surgery
Virtual Support Group
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn now offers virtual bariatric surgery support groups. These virtual gatherings offer all bariatric surgery patients a space to share stories, gain support and even foster friendships.
Many patients join us at our post-surgery support groups for years after their weight loss surgery.
Last Steps Before Bariatric Surgery
Some of the final steps before your surgery include:
- Insurance approval: Once you've completed all required medical tests, we send necessary documentation to your insurance company for preauthorization. This approval process can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your insurance company.
- Schedule surgery: Your coordinator will work with you to determine a surgery date (at your convenience) and prepare you for final steps.
- Review what to expect: Members of your care team review the post-bariatric surgery diet and what to expect at the hospital with you once more before surgery.
Day of Weight Loss Surgery
We offer a full range of bariatric surgery options at three locations across downtown Philadelphia. All bariatric surgeries require general anesthesia (you're asleep for the entire procedure). You can expect to stay in the hospital for one to three nights.
Our experienced bariatric surgeons are skilled in the latest minimally invasive techniques. They perform most surgeries laparoscopically or robotically. Read about Penn's full range of bariatric surgery options.
Less-invasive surgery offers many benefits, such as smaller scars and the potential for an easier, faster recovery. Most patients start walking the day of surgery and begin sipping fluids while still in the hospital. Your care team will check in on you often while you're at the hospital. We will make sure you're healing properly and have everything you need before you head home.
Bariatric Surgery Recovery
Your care team will give you specific instructions for dos and don'ts in the days and weeks after surgery.
After the Surgery
In general, we recommend you avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for four to six weeks after surgery. We also advise against any abdominal exercises for six to eight weeks.
You can easily communicate with your care team via phone and our easy-to-use patient portal, MyChart by myPennMedicine, as needed. Regular follow-up visits help us track your recovery and progress. After surgery, you can expect to have standard follow-up visits at:
- 10 to 14 days
- 6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
Lifelong Follow-Up Care
One year after your surgery, we'll switch to yearly check-ins that will continue for the rest of your life. At these visits, you'll meet with a nurse practitioner or a surgeon and a dietitian. The goal of these visits is to help you stay on track with your weight loss and prevent weight regain, nutrition deficiencies or late complications from surgery. However, we're always here when you need us. Don't hesitate to check in with questions or concerns at any time.
Learn more about our long-term care for bariatric surgery.
Watch an Online Video on Weight Loss Surgery
Sign up to watch an information session and learn more about weight loss surgery at Penn. Committing to a healthier version of yourself has never been more convenient.
Find a Bariatric Surgeon
Find a bariatric surgeon near you.
Request an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.