Frequently Asked Questions
Does
insurance cover the cost of weight loss surgery?
Does
Medicare cover weight loss surgery?
Does
Dr. Freeman offer a finance plan?
What
surgical procedures are offered by Freeman and Company Bariatric Center?
How
much weight does the average person lose after weight loss surgery?
Can
these weight loss surgical procedures be performed laparoscopically or will
I have an open incision?
What
is the typical operating time for each procedure?
How
long will I be in the hospital?
What
is the typical recovery time for the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass?
What
is the typical recovery time for the Lap Band procedure?
What
will I be able to eat after the Roux-en-Y weight loss surgery?
What
will I be able to eat after the Lap Band procedure?
What
are some possible side effects of weight loss surgery?
What
are the typical benefits of weight loss surgery?
Will
I need to have excess skin removed after weight loss?
After
having weight loss surgery, how long should I wait to have?
Is
it safe to become pregnant after weight loss surgery?
Why
choose Freeman and Company Bariatric Center?
What
medications need to be avoided after weight loss surgery?
Will
I be able to enjoy eating out at a restaurant after weight loss surgery?
1. Does insurance cover the cost of weight loss surgery?
Most insurance companies will pay for weight loss surgery if you meet certain
conditions. Typically, they require that the patient have a Body Mass Index
of 40 or above. If your BMI falls between 35 and 40, you may qualify if you
also have significant life threatening co-morbid conditions such as hypertension,
diabetes, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, etc. (There is a BMI calculator
on our home page.)
Dr. Freeman’s staff will assist you in working with your insurance provider
in an effort to have your surgical procedure approved for coverage.
2. Does Medicare cover weight loss surgery?
If the procedure is performed by a surgical team from a Bariatric Center of
Excellence, Medicare normally covers the procedure as long as a patient meets
Medicare’s guidelines of having a BMI of 35 or greater with at least
one significant co-morbid condition.
3. Does Dr. Freeman offer a finance plan?
We work with Capital One Healthcare Finance. Rates can be as low as 1.99%.
Interest free options are also available.
We also work with Med Loan Finance. They offer regular loans as well as 12
to 18 months interest free options.
In addition, we work with Care Credit which also offers payment options for
bariatric patients.
4. What surgical procedures are offered by Freeman and Company Bariatric
Center?
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Lap Band.
5. How much weight does the average person lose after weight loss
surgery?
Statistics show that Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass patients experience an average
80% loss of excess weight.
Statistics show that Lap Band patients experience an average 36-38% loss of excess weight. Some programs report that patients experience 50-70% loss of excess weight three to five years following the Lap Band procedure.
6. Can these weight loss surgical procedures be performed laparoscopically
or will I have an open incision?
These surgical procedures are performed laparoscopically 99% of the time.
Your safety is our top priority; therefore, if Dr. Freeman feels it medically
necessary he will convert your surgery from a laparoscopic (few small incisions)
to an open procedure (one incision from the sternum to the umbilicus or belly
button).
7. What is the typical operating time for each procedure?
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: 45-60 minutes
Lap Band: 30-45 minutes
8. How long will I be in the hospital?
On average, patients are hospitalized for the following lengths of time:
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Laparoscopic Procedure - 3 days.
Lap-Band Laparoscopic Procedure - 23 hours.
Open incision for either the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass or Lap-Band - 4-5 days.
9. What is the typical recovery time for the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
procedure?
If the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass procedure is performed laparoscopically, the
average recovery time is 2-4 weeks.
If the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass procedure is performed through an open incision,
the average recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
10. What is the typical recovery time for the Lap Band procedure?
If the Lap Band procedure is performed laparoscopically, the average recovery
time is 1-2 weeks.
If the Lap Band procedure is performed through an open incision, the average
recovery time is 4-6weeks.
11. What will I be able to eat after the Roux-en-Y weight loss surgery?
You will be given a written nutritional plan to follow as your body adjusts
to the surgery.
Typically, patients begin eating soft proteins and vegetables, slowly incorporating
foods that are more difficult to digest. We do suggest you avoid carbonated
beverages, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar.
12. What will I be able to eat after the Lap Band procedure?
You will be given a written nutritional plan to follow as your body adjusts
to the surgery.
During weeks 1-2, your meals will consist of clear liquids and protein drinks.
During weeks 3-4, your meals will consist of soft foods.
Solid foods begin at week 5.
13. What are some possible side effects of weight loss surgery?
Nausea/Vomiting
Heightened sense of taste or smell
Diarrhea/Constipation
Gas
Excess Skin
14. What are the typical benefits of weight loss surgery?
Better Health
Relief of Co-Morbid conditions
More Active Lifestyle
Reduction or resolution of medication requirements
15. Will I need to have excess skin removed after weight loss?
Many factors determine whether or not you may have excess skin after weight
loss such as your age at the time of surgery, how long you have been overweight,
how overweight you are, genetics, how well you keep yourself hydrated, whether
or not you exercise on a regular basis, etc. Many patients choose to have
the excess skin removed while others are perfectly content without plastic
surgery.
16. After having weight loss surgery, how long should I wait to have
plastic surgery?
The fat will usually melt away faster than the skin recoils (draws
up), therefore, it is recommended that you wait at least 12-18 months or until
you have reached your weight loss goal before considering plastic or cosmetic
surgery.
17. Is it safe to become pregnant after weight loss surgery?
Yes, but we do encourage patients to wait 18-24 months after surgery before
becoming pregnant. Your body will rapidly go through nutritional and metabolic
changes and our concern is the protection of the fetus during this important
time.
18. Why choose Freeman and Company Bariatric Center?
We are a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, awarded by the American Society
for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. We have also been deemed as a Center
of Distinction through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. There are strict
standards that must be maintained by the surgeon and operating facility to
maintain these designations. This means you can rest assured that you are
in good hands with Freeman and Company Bariatric Center.
We are committed solely to the practice of weight loss surgery.
Dr. Freeman has performed over 2,000 weight loss surgical procedures.
He is also a gastric bypass patient, and therefore understands the challenges
caused by obesity. This enables Dr. Freeman to approach each case with the
dedication and care that is required for success.
19. What medications need to be avoided after weight loss surgery?
Dr. Freeman recommends that you avoid anti-inflammatory or NSAIDS following
weight loss surgery. These types of medications can cause ulceration and bleeds
in a normal sized stomach, so it is a concern for the small gastric pouch.
Examples of these medications include Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Celebrex,
Bextra, etc. It is fine to use Tylenol products.
20. Will I be able to enjoy eating out at a restaurant after weight
loss surgery?
The goal of weight loss surgery is for the patient to be able to enjoy three
healthy meals a day, making appropriate food choices. You can still enjoy
the foods that you like, just in smaller portions. As a leadership role in
the weight loss surgery patient, it should be understood that the process
of being able to tolerate all foods will take time while the healing process
is underway.