Every patient undergoing weight-loss surgery at South Miami Hospital must attend an educational class before surgery. We ask that patients take the class any time between two weeks and three months prior to surgery. This class is necessary to give the patient a clear understanding of what to expect after bariatric surgery. We want them to be prepared and not to have any surprises.
The class is given by several members of the bariatric team and includes the following:
- Bariatric nurse coordinator- What to expect before and after surgery.
- Respiratory therapist-The importance of deep breathing, coughing and using the incentive spirometer after surgery.
- Physical therapist- The importance of exercise after surgery.
- Dietitian-Diet progression after surgery from clear liquids to full liquid to pureed to soft to regular diet. Also, vitamin and mineral supplements.
- Social worker-Resources available to help you adjust to lifestyle changes.
Maria Fuego, R.N.
Bariatric Coordinator
South Miami Hospital Weight-loss Surgery Program
The purpose of tests before your weight-loss surgery is to make sure you’re healthy enough for surgery. If any test results come back as abnormal, the surgery will be postponed until the situation is corrected and the test results become normal; or if the patient’s medical doctor states that this result is normal for this particular patient.
There are many tests required prior to weight-loss surgery. These tests include, but are not limited to: Blood tests, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, OK’s from the patient’s medical, pulmonary and cardiac physicians, and if indicated, sleep studies.
Maria Fuego, R.N.
Bariatric Coordinator
South Miami Hospital Weight-loss Surgery Program
Most insurance plans will cover weight-loss surgery if you have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35 to 39 along with an obesity-related health condition such as diabetes, sleep apnea or hypertension. They will also cover the surgery if your BMI is greater than 40, with or without an obesity-related health condition. You should check with your insurance company to find out about any exclusions for bariatric surgery.
If your insurance plan does not cover the surgery, speak with the bariatric surgeon’s office staff, as a medical loan may be available.
If you don’t have insurance coverage and you’d like to pay out of pocket, here’s a general idea of the cost for the surgeon and the hospital stay. Keep in mind that prices vary.
Gastric bypass surgery, based on a two-day hospital stay: $20,000
Sleeve gastrectomy, based on a two-day hospital stay: $19,000
Adjustable gastric bands, based on an overnight stay: $16,500
Maria Fuego, R.N.
Bariatric Coordinator
South Miami Hospital Weight-loss Surgery Program
At my first appointment with Dr. Gonzalez, I realized that there was a lot of information to absorb, but he patiently explained everything to me. Once it was established that I was morbidly obese and a candidate for weight loss surgery, knowing whether my insurance would cover the procedure was, of course, very important to me.
Dr. Gonzalez’s office has an insurance coordinator who was able to go over the insurance aspect with me. This greatly reduced my anxiety and I was not as overwhelmed as I had expected. The insurance company required a few things before they agreed to pay for the surgery: A visit to my primary care physician and a letter from him about my medical history and my attempts at losing weight in the past; a consultation and mental health evaluation by a psychologist and a consultation with a dietitian regarding nutrition and exercise. Lastly, I was required to write a letter about what I had done to try to lose weight over the years, including the use of established programs such as Weight Watchers. (I had tried them all with short-lived success.)
I left the office with a new sense of hope. I knew that I was on my way to a better life; a life of healthy choices and increased energy.
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