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Attend a free weight loss surgery seminar
Weight loss surgery is a big decision that can change your life for the better. That’s why we are excited that you want to learn more about the first steps to a new you. Our experienced medical staff and community is here to answer your questions and help you every step of the way to your weight loss success.
The benefits of weight loss surgery
When diet, exercise and medication aren’t working, weight loss surgery may be an option for treating morbid obesity. Research shows weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is the most effective way to achieve long-term weight loss.
The benefits go beyond what you see on the scale. It can also improve a wide range of other health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.
FAQ
If you are considering bariatric surgery, call your insurance company to verify bariatric benefits for the treatment of morbid obesity.
Information you will need from your insurance:
1. Does your plan cover bariatric services and surgery, or is it an exclusion or only covered if life-threatening (meaning they do not cover bariatric surgery)?
- Here are the specific codes your insurance company may request:
- ICD code of obesity E66.01
- CPT code for sleeve 43775
- CPT code for bypass 43644
2. If your plan covers bariatric services and surgery, you will need to know what pre-surgical requirement are necessary to qualify for surgery.
- For example, Medicaid requires six consecutive months of medical weight management and psychological evaluation.
3. What is your portion of the cost?
- Confirm how much your insurance will cover for the procedure.
Bariatric surgery may be an option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. If you have other serious health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, bariatric surgery may be beneficial if your BMI is between 35 and 40. If your BMI is below 35, you will not qualify for surgery.
Use the BMI calculator below to see if you qualify.
The Bariatric Program at Lovelace is committed to serving you as you begin your weight-loss journey. Our experienced team will help determine which procedure is right for you. We offer a range of weight-loss surgery options, including:
Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass
This is the most common procedure. A surgeon creates a small pouch from the stomach and connects it directly to the small intestine. This helps lower the amount of food you can eat in one sitting.
Sleeve gastrectomy
This procedure removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving a long, tube-like pouch. This smaller stomach can't hold as much food. It also produces less of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin, which can curb your desire to eat.
Revisional surgeries
Your body changes over time, which can have an impact on the changes made by weight loss surgery. Bariatric revision surgery can correct those changes or improve a previous procedure.
All of these procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques by our partner community fellowship-trained board certified bariatric surgeons. Watch our free online seminar for more details.
There are three steps required for an initial consultation:
- Fill out our online registration to the right and watch our FREE online seminar.
- If you select online seminar, complete the short quiz following the seminar with a score of 100.
- If you decide bariatric surgery is right for you, complete the new patient paperwork and email it to Elizabeth.Jones@lovelace.com.
Lovelace Westside Hospital is the only hospital in New Mexico designated as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery. This designation is given to hospitals that provide a full range of bariatric surgery care, including surgical care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education. These centers have lower complication rates and fewer readmissions and demonstrate more affordable care in addition to quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results.
Our bariatrics program has been named a Fully Accredited MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accredited Quality Improvement Program) by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The MBSAQIP Accreditation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes and low complication rates.
Overview
Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity.
Many people find it difficult to lose weight on their own. Through surgical treatments, many patients are able to lose weight and keep it off, as well as experience improvement in a range of weight-related medical issues. Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective option that can help patients control their appetite, lose pounds and maintain a healthy body weight for a long and active life.
The Bariatric Program at Lovelace is committed to serving you as you begin your weight-loss journey. Our experienced team will help determine which procedure is right for you. We offer a range of weight-loss surgery options, including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and revisional surgeries. All of these procedures are performed using laparoscopic, minimally invasive techniques by our partner community fellowship-trained board certified bariatric surgeons.
Lovelace Westside Hospital is the only hospital in New Mexico designated as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery. This designation is given to hospitals that provide a full range of bariatric surgery care; including surgical care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education. These Centers have lower complication rates and fewer readmissions and demonstrate more affordable care in addition to quality care, treatment expertise and better overall patient results.
For more information or to learn more about our partner community bariatric surgeons, please click here. We look forward to working with you and helping you to reach your weight-loss goals.
Accreditations
Lovelace Bariatrics has been named a Fully Accredited MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accredited Quality Improvement Program) by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The MBSAQIP Accreditation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes and low complication rates.
The ASMBS and ACS MBSAQIP was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that meet the highest standards in the industry and to help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided. As a fully-accredited program, Lovelace Bariatrics has agreed to continue to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes data.
About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The ASMBS is the largest organization for metabolic and bariatric surgeons in the world.
It is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance the art and science of metabolic and bariatric surgery and is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about metabolic and bariatric surgery as an option for the treatment of morbid obesity, as well as the associated risks and benefits.
It encourages its members to investigate and discover new advances in metabolic and bariatric surgery while maintaining a steady exchange of experiences and ideas that may lead to improved surgical outcomes for morbidly obese patients.