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November 2006 – Making the Decision to Have Bariatric Surgery
Weight-loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) is a major, life-changing event. When a person decides to have bariatric surgery, he or she is committing to a new way of life.
Perhaps you’re considering bariatric surgery. But how do you decide if this is the right step for you?
“Because of the significant lifestyle changes involved with bariatric surgery, it’s important for people to obtain as much information as possible,” said Deborah Andris, MSN, RN, nurse practitioner in the Bariatric Surgery Program at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. “Reliable information and other resources can help people decide if bariatric surgery is right for them.”
Andris suggests the following resources:
- Contact your health insurance provider to see if bariatric surgery is covered in your plan — until recently, most private health insurance companies accepted the 1991 guidelines of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as qualifications for weight loss surgery. Today, many insurers add qualifiers to the NIH guidelines, such as undergoing six months of a physician-supervised diet before the surgery will be covered. You need to factor this into your weight-loss goals. An insurance expert at Froedtert & the Medical College can work with your health insurance provider to determine if bariatric surgery is an available benefit. If the surgery is not covered in your health plan, you may be able to select another plan during open benefit enrollment at your workplace.
- Attend a community education class — Froedtert & the Medical College offers free programs on bariatric surgery and required diet and lifestyle changes. Attendees receive free materials and have an opportunity to ask questions. The class is offered every other month in Milwaukee and periodically in Racine and Sheboygan.
- Attend bariatric support group meetings — Froedtert & the Medical College have a monthly support group for people who have had bariatric surgery as well as those considering the surgery. The group offers a great chance to listen to healthcare professionals and talk to people who have had bariatric surgery.
- Do research on the Internet — while the Internet contains a wealth of information, be aware that some information may be misleading. Avoid sites that appear to promote for-profit bariatric programs and chat rooms that may not provide an accurate picture of bariatric surgery. Reliable Web sites include:
- Talk to healthcare professionals — not everyone who wants bariatric surgery will qualify for it, due to health problems or other issues. Visit a bariatric surgery program for a complete physical and mental health evaluation. The latter will help to identify possible barriers to success before and/or after bariatric surgery.
At Froedtert & the Medical College, people seriously considering bariatric surgery are required to attend a three-hour orientation class for a complete overview of the procedure. The class focuses on patient preparedness and compliance, including the dietary habits and lifestyle changes required before and after surgery.
- Identify where you want to have the surgery — choose a program that has been reviewed by the Surgical Review Corporation and designated as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). This designation means the program has the resources to perform safe bariatric surgery and has excellent outcomes. (The Bariatric Surgery Program at Froedtert & the Medical College and its director, James R. Wallace, MD, PhD, have received the bariatric surgery “Center of Excellence” designation by the ASBS.) When looking at programs, ask about complication rates and the number of surgeries performed. In general, programs with a high volume of surgeries have lower risks of complications.
- Gather support from family members — it’s important for your family to understand bariatric surgery and the lifestyle changes you’ll experience. Encourage family members to join you at community education programs, support group meetings and visits to healthcare professionals.
- Visit or call Small Stones — as a health resource center of Froedtert & the Medical College, Small Stones offers many resources on weight-loss surgery, including the following books:
- Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray
- Before and After: Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach
- The TOPS Way to Weight Loss by Howard J. Rankin, PhD
Nurse educators at Small Stones can help you find any information you desire. If you don’t have access to the Internet, a nurse educator can help you locate a variety of online resources.
By gathering reliable information and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can decide if bariatric surgery is right for you.
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Date: Nov. 1, 2006 | Medical Reviewer: | Deborah Andris, MSN, RN | | Nurse practitioner |
Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler
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