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For more information
or to schedule a consultation with the Jefferson Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program in Philadelphia,
call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or use our online appointment request form
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The decision to undergo bariatric surgery is a complex one. Please do not hesitate to contact us if your question is not answered
here.
How do I make an appointment with a bariatric surgeon at Jefferson?
How do I know if I am a good candidate for bariatric surgery?
How do I choose between a gastric bypass or gastric banding surgery?
What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?
What will happen at my first consultation?
Will my insurance cover the surgery?
How much does the surgery cost if my insurance doesn’t cover it?
How can I best prepare my body for surgery?
Can my family and friends help me through this process?
What are the potential risks of this surgery?
What medical tests will I have to undergo before my surgery?
What should I purchase before going in for my surgery?
Why is it better to have laparoscopic versus traditional surgery?
How long will I have to stay in the hospital?
How quickly will I lose weight?
Is the postoperative diet difficult to follow?
What medications must I avoid?
Can I get pregnant after this surgery?
Can I regain the weight?
How do I make an appointment with a bariatric surgeon at Jefferson?
Scheduling an appointment is easy: Simply call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or use our or use our online appointment request form. The Jefferson Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program is located at 1100 Walnut Street, Fifth Floor, Philadelphia, Pa. However,
before you schedule a consultation, be sure you have addressed the items we’ve outlined on the Preparing for Your Consultation page.
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How do I know if I am a good candidate for bariatric surgery?
The Jefferson Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program uses the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines to determine
eligibility for bariatric surgery. If you are 100 pounds overweight, or 75 pounds overweight with an obesity-related condition (for example, high blood pressure,
diabetes or sleep apnea), you’re likely a candidate for surgery. However, we will review your medical history to further determine
eligibility.
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How do I choose between a gastric bypass or gastric banding surgery?
In the simplest terms, gastric bypass delivers more weight-loss benefit but comes with greater risk of complications. Some
patients simply aren’t comfortable assuming the risks of gastric bypass. On the other hand, some people dislike the idea of
having a foreign body – that is, a gastric band – in their bodies.
Another consideration is the amount of weight that you will lose. People who have a gastric bypass typically lose more than
those who have gastric banding surgery. For example, if you are 200 pounds overweight, you will lose, on average, 80 pounds
with a gastric band and 120 to 140 pounds with a gastric bypass. If still being 120 pounds overweight is unacceptable to you,
then you should have a gastric bypass.
Ultimately, though, the choice is yours – and you need to feel comfortable with your decision.
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What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?
You can find a complete “to-do” list on our Preparing for Your Consultation page.
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What will happen at my first consultation?
A lot will happen at your first consultation, so you should plan to be here for a few hours. First, we will review your health
history questionnaire (which you will receive in the mail from us). You will meet with the surgeon and dietitian. We will
discuss the benefits and risks of the procedures and address all of your questions. We’ll arrange for you to have a psychiatric
consultation, a sleep study and a cardiac consultation. We’ll also arrange for some outpatient routine testing, which you
may be able to get that day.
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Will my insurance cover the surgery?
Most insurers cover the surgery if it is medically necessary – and if you meet the NIH criteria, it is medically necessary. You can learn more about the approval process at our Insurance Considerations for Bariatric Surgery page.
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How much does the surgery cost if my insurance doesn’t cover it?
We do offer cash-pay options for this type of surgery. The actual fees for the hospital, anesthesia and surgeon are still
under development, but generally speaking, the total fee ranges from $15,000 to $30,000.
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How can I best prepare my body for surgery?
There are some important ways you can prepare for surgery:
- Be as active as you can. If your physician approves it and you’re physically able, start walking every day.
- If you’re using tobacco, stop. This is critically important, as you can’t have weight-loss surgery is you’re actively using
tobacco. And the longer you quit before surgery, the easier it will be not to resume after surgery.
- Try to eat as healthfully as you can. Taking in less fat before your surgery will make your surgery and recovery easier.
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Can my family and friends help me through this process?
We strongly encourage you to get your family and personal support network involved in your decision to pursue weight-loss
surgery. They can help you through the decision by acting as a supportive sounding board. They can help you make good food
choices and recover to your normal activities postoperatively.
Also, they need to be as prepared for life after surgery as you are. If you have a spouse and/or children, it’s essential
that they be aware of the benefits and risks of what you’re undertaking and the lifestyle changes you’ll be making after surgery.
Those who are closest to you have the best ability to help you be successful (or to undermine your success).
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What are the potential risks of this surgery?
We’ve already outlined the benefits and risks of fully laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass and fully laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery. The bottom line is this: With bariatric surgery the benefits are great, but there is a slight risk of a serious complication
that could possibly lead to death.
Of course, every surgery has risks. Ultimately, the risks of this surgery are less than the risk of a morbidly obese person
doing nothing about his or her weight.
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What medical tests will I have to undergo before my surgery?
To limit risk, we have our patients undergo extensive testing before surgery. The routine tests include:
- Blood tests
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac consultation (and any tests that the cardiologist deems necessary)
- Sleep study (to evaluate for sleep apnea)
- Upper endoscopy to examine the stomach for inflammation or lesions, which could increase the risks of leakage, ulcers or erosion
of the band
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What should I purchase before going in for my surgery?
The best thing to do is to purchase the liquids and protein drinks you will consume for your liquid diet after surgery. Try
a few varieties to see what you like and dislike. That way, you’ll know what you like – and have it on hand – before the taste-altering
effects of the surgery influence your choices.
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Why is it better to have laparoscopic versus traditional surgery?
With laparoscopy, weight-loss surgeries are similar on the inside – but with less pain, shorter hospitalizations (one day
for gastric banding and two days for gastric bypass) and quicker recoveries for the patients. In fact, weight-loss patients
who have laparoscopic surgery are able to breathe more fully and get out of bed the night of their surgery. They’re also able
to do more activities at home more quickly. And laparoscopic patients experience fewer hernias and wound infections, too.
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How long will I have to stay in the hospital?
Because we perform surgery laparoscopically, your hospital stay is likely to be shorter than with traditional methods. If
you have a gastric bypass, you should be able to go home two days after surgery. If you have gastric banding, you should be
able to go home the day after your surgery.
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How quickly will I lose weight?
Many patients will lose a lot of weight in the first weeks following surgery. This is usually a combination of the low-calorie
liquid diet and the surgery. However, the most important thing we look at is how well you are healing. Early weight loss is
not an indicator of long-term weight loss. However, when you lose weight early, it is very encouraging. Most of your weight
loss will be over the first 18 months, with about half of the total occurring in the first five months.
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Is the postoperative diet difficult to follow?
Most patients do fine following the postoperative diet plan. It is very different from your preoperative diet. But the surgery
you have helps you adhere to the small portions and consume less sweet and fatty foods.
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What medications must I avoid?
Medications containing aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase your risk of developing an
ulcer after surgery. Otherwise, most other medications that are necessary can be taken normally. Many patients find they need
fewer medications after weight loss surgery.
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Can I get pregnant after this surgery?
Yes, but there are some caveats. First, it will be essential to ensure that you’re nutritionally sound prior to doing so.
Second, you should not get pregnant during the phase of rapid weight loss. Therefore, we recommend not getting pregnant for
the first two to three years after your surgery. We also need for your obstetrician to be comfortable treating you even though
you’ve had a gastric bypass.
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Can I regain the weight?
If you don’t follow the postoperative diet plan, you can regain some or all of the weight you’ve lost. Most patients are able
to follow the plan and maintain their healthy weight.
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Contact us
If you have further questions or would like to schedule a consultation with the Jefferson Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Program in Philadelphia, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or use our online appointment request form.
