Bariatric surgery FAQs

Candidates must have a BMI greater than 40, or greater than 35 with obesity-related health conditions. You should weigh more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms) above your ideal weight. Our team can help you understand bariatric surgery eligibility requirements.

BMI stands for “body mass index.” It’s a height-to-weight ratio that helps us measure you for a weight illness. A normal BMI ranges from 20 to 25. Candidates for weight loss surgery have a BMI of 35 or more and medical problems associated with obesity. You can use a BMI calculator to determine your BMI.

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease. Every person is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving a healthy weight. The decision to use GLP-1 medications or to pursue bariatric surgery—or even using both treatments—is best discussed with a weight management specialist. In general, bariatric surgery has been shown to provide more significant weight loss so it may be most appropriate for people with a higher BMI. Our specialists are here to discuss all of the options and work with you to create the best solution for you.

We offer bariatric surgery options for qualified individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. For adolescents, we partner with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to provide bariatric surgery. We also offer a weight management program at our Lancaster location and a monthly support group for youth patients and their parents.

Procedure costs depend upon the patient, the surgery, and any post-operative difficulties that may occur. In many cases, insurance companies cover the cost of the surgery since morbid obesity can be a life-threatening condition. You should speak with your insurance company to confirm that the surgery and any related expenses are covered.

If you’re interested in paying out of pocket for weight loss surgery, one of our coordinators can discuss the process with you.

Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery depends on your health insurance policy. You can contact your insurance provider to find out the details of your coverage, including what weight loss procedures are covered.

If you are a candidate for surgery, we’ll work with you to ensure you meet all insurance requirements. We will send the results of your screenings, tests, and any other necessary documentation to your insurance provider for approval.

Some insurance plans exclude weight loss surgery. If your health insurance doesn’t cover surgery, we offer a self-pay option with a payment plan.

You’ll meet with a surgeon, nurse or nurse practitioner, and dietitian. They’ll discuss your medical history and complete a physical exam and nutrition assessment. You’ll also discuss what to expect from surgery.

We’ll provide a list of consultations and upcoming appointments that you must complete before surgery. These include bariatric surgery screenings and pre-operative medical tests. Our office can assist you in scheduling these visits.

The average time between the initial visit and surgery is three to six months. This time frame primarily depends on your insurance company requirements.

During your initial consultation, your bariatric surgeon will discuss your surgical weight loss options. They’ll make recommendations for which procedure is best for your needs.

A vast majority (over 90%) of patients achieve long-term weight loss after having bariatric surgery. Some patients regain a portion of the weight they initially lost. Success depends on your commitment to following a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Bariatric surgery is typically performed using minimally invasive methods like laparoscopy or robotic surgery. These methods use small incisions and instruments. Your surgeon will discuss which method they recommend for you.

Although it’s safe and effective, bariatric surgery is still a major surgery. There are some risks, even with minimally invasive surgical techniques. They include:

• Bleeding
• Hernia through the incision or inside of the abdomen
• Infection of the incision or abdomen
• Obstruction (blockage) of the intestine caused by scar tissue
• Potential problems with heart or lungs, including blood clots
• Risks associated with general anesthesia

Yes, our surgeons have expertise in bariatric revision surgery to correct previous surgical weight loss procedures.

Most patients stay in the hospital for one to three days. You may stay longer if you experience any complications or need additional observation.

You should be able to function on your own when you return home. A small number of patients with physical disabilities before surgery require extra assistance.

You shouldn’t drive until you can move quickly, and you no longer need medications associated with your surgery. Usually, this takes about one to two weeks.

Most people return to work within a week or two after surgery. If you have a physically demanding job, it may take up to six weeks before you can return to work. You shouldn’t do any heavy lifting or heavy manual labor until cleared by your surgeon (typically six to eight weeks).

Most people can walk and do light exercises immediately after surgery. We recommend you avoid heavy lifting for six weeks after surgery to allow for healing.

Typically, you’ll attend four to six follow-up meetings during your first post-surgery year. After that, visits are scheduled annually.

Weight loss varies from one person to another. Many people lose between 65 percent and 75 percent of their excess body weight within the first year. Committing to our diet and lifestyle guidelines after surgery will help you achieve your desired weight loss.

Some people will experience a rebound weight gain in the years after weight-loss surgery. This can occur if you don’t stick with the recommended lifestyle changes.

You can potentially regain all the weight you lose after surgery if you don’t change your lifestyle. If this happens, weight-related medical conditions can return. Long-term follow-up with your surgeon and weight-loss team are crucial for successful weight loss and a healthier life.

Around 15 percent of people choose to have skin reduction surgery after weight loss has stopped. We recommend waiting two years after your original surgery before considering this option.

Hair thinning can occur, but you can minimize it by reaching your protein goal every day. We also recommend taking a daily multivitamin and zinc and biotin supplements. The hair thinning process usually starts around three months after surgery and stops by the seventh month. After seven months, hair starts to regrow.

Weight loss surgery doesn’t increase the chance of birth defects or cause infertility. In fact, fertility increases for women after successful weight loss surgery. We recommend that women who have had bariatric surgery wait at least one year before becoming pregnant.

Proper diet and nutritional supplements are necessary after weight loss surgery and when planning any pregnancy. It’s best to plan future pregnancies with your gynecologist and bariatric surgeon.

We recommend you take nutritional supplements for the rest of your life after weight loss surgery, and they are required after gastric bypass. Supplements help prevent nutritional deficiencies that may occur from your limited food intake. You’ll also need routine blood work to monitor your nutritional status.

Immediately after surgery, meals usually consist of two to four tablespoons of food. As you advance your diet, you should be eating “regular” food in very small portions within six to eight weeks of surgery.

Protein is important for both healing and weight loss after surgery. Since your food intake is limited, you should incorporate high-protein drinks that are low in fat and sugar. You may also add protein powder to liquids or certain foods. As you continue to increase the amount and types of food that you eat, you should continue to rely on foods high in protein.

Dumping is your body’s reaction to eating foods with a high fat or sugar content after surgery. Dumping usually occurs 30 to 60 minutes after eating poor food choices. It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heart pounding, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea. Typically, dumping can be an issue for gastric bypass patients only.

You should wait at least six months to consume alcohol. You may have a lower tolerance for alcohol after weight loss surgery. Alcohol can also have a high calorie count, which can slow weight loss or cause weight gain.

Caffeine can be an appetite stimulant and a diuretic. Until you can consume at least 64 ounces of fluid a day, it’s best not to consume products with caffeine.