Most health insurance companies cover most of the cost of the surgical procedure.

• Call the customer service number on your insurance card
• Ask the representative if your plan covers weight loss (bariatric) surgery for morbid obesity and give them ICD-9 code 278.01.
• Ask "Does my plan cover Roux-en-Y Gastric By Pass (CPT Code 43644) or Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (CPT Code 43770)?"
• If yes, ask "What is required before authorizing surgery?"
• If no, call us at 937-723-34055 to discuss financial options

In April, 2002, the Internal Revenue Service issued a new regulation that acknowledged obesity as a disease itself. By doing so, the IRS agreed to treat costs for obesity treatment including weight loss surgery - assuming a medical diagnosis of obesity - as any other medical expense. All obesity medical treatment expenses beyond the existing minimum 7.5% of gross income are now deductible.

Yes. Surgery improves most obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart disease and many orthopedic conditions. As an added benefit, your life expectancy increases. Not only do you look better, you feel better!

As with any major surgery, there are risks. Most people who qualify for bariatric surgery have related health problems (co-morbidities) such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which increase the risk of complications. You should be aware that if you have these co-morbidities, there are also risks associated with failure to get your weight under control.

About 100,000 procedures are performed in the U.S. each year, so the surgery is not uncommon. Surgeons are aware of potential complications, and are able to take precautions to minimize their occurrence. Your program manager will make sure you are aware of the risks and complications, and your surgeon will answer all of your questions before you commit to the surgery. You will speak to a surgeon who will explain the risks and complications and be asked to sign a statement indicating you understand these risks and complications before you are allowed to have this surgery.

You are not a good candidate for the surgery if you are dependent on alcohol or drugs, are unlikely to adhere to a regimen of proper eating and exercise after the surgery, or if your co-morbidities or age make the potential risks greater than the likely benefits of the surgery.

Yes. In fact, most of the people who have gastric bypass surgery have some of these conditions. However, in some cases, these conditions will be so severe that they will make the risk of complications from the surgery so high your surgeon cannot recommend the surgery. This is part of the reason your surgeon will require so many tests prior to agreeing to perform the surgery. Take the time to ask your surgeon all your questions before you agree to surgery.

Usually not. Patients during weight loss should be on vitamin supplements. Blood tests are obtained periodically to monitor your blood chemistries and nutritional status.

Generally, you will want to avoid unrefined sugars and fats and, often, dairy products. You will be given a diet handbook for specifics.

If there is too much excess skin hanging, it will require surgery. The surgery will entail either a trimming of the skin or a more detailed procedure such as Abdominoplasty.

This surgery is not at all like liposuction. In liposuction, fat is suctioned from your body. In bariatric surgery, the size of your stomach is reduced. Depending on the type of procedure performed, bariatric surgery may also reduce the amount of intestine your body uses to absorb calories.

Once you have reached the 18 month mark and are back on a regular diet regimen for gastric bypass patients, you should be able to have a normal, healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.