Bariatric Surgery Journey

Every weight loss journey is different. Whether you need physical or emotional support, our compassionate staff has the resources for your success in our bariatric program.

We work with you and your insurance company to empower your journey and get you on the path to living your happiest and healthiest life efficiently and safely.

Bariatric Timeline

Information Session

Your bariatric surgery journey will begin by attending one of our free information sessions. The information session will be led by our surgeons and staff members and will provide more information to help you decide if weight loss surgery is the right choice for you.

Find a free information session near you.

Assessment

Once you’ve decided to begin the bariatric surgery journey, you’ll meet with one of our bariatric surgeons for an assessment. At this assessment, you and your doctor will discuss your individual needs such as the surgery that is right for you and the timeline leading up to surgery.

Learn more about our bariatric surgery assessments.

Pre-Surgery

The time before surgery will vary on a few factors such as your insurance requirements and your individual needs.

Typically, there is a 3-6 month lead-up to surgery. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on your nutrition, find an exercise program that is right for you, meet with a behavioral health expert who can help you prepare for surgery and meet with your surgeon to ensure any pre-surgery testing has been completed.

We offer a comprehensive continuum of care and will guide you through this time so you feel supported every step of the way as you prepare for your surgery. Your bariatric team will include:

  • A bariatric surgeon, who will help you decide what kind of weight loss surgery would be best for you and will perform the procedure.
  • A psychologist, who will help you understand and deal with a changing self-image and emotional changes that frequently follow this type of surgery. We will assist in coordinating a psychological evaluation for your readiness for bariatric surgery.
  • A registered dietitian, who will help you learn what, when and how to eat.
  • An exercise specialist, who will work with you to gradually develop an exercise plan that you can feel good about.
  • A registered nurse, who will be able to provide clinical support to you and assist in answering your questions and concerns.

Surgery

On the day of surgery, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and avoid wearing makeup and jewelry.

Make sure to bring your insurance card and driver’s license with you and arrange to have a trusted adult bring you to the hospital.

Bariatric surgery generally only takes a few hours to complete, depending on the procedure.

Learn more about the different bariatric surgical procedures.

Recovery Time

Following your bariatric surgery, you’ll typically stay in the hospital for an average of 2-5 days.

You can expect recovery to take between 1-2 weeks. Most patients take a week off work. During your recovery, your surgeon, your primary care provider and your bariatric team will be available for any post-surgery questions you may have.

Learn more about recovery and what to expect post-surgery.

First Year After Surgery

Within the first year after your surgery, you’ll have appointments with both your primary care provider and your bariatric team to make sure you are on track and losing weight.

These appointments may include:

  • Nutrition support
  • Exercise support
  • Blood work
  • Psychological follow-ups
  • Evaluation by your surgeon or primary care provider

1-5 Years After Surgery

As you continue to lose weight and build a new, healthy lifestyle, your bariatric team will continue to be on hand as needed. You will also still have some routine checkups to ensure your continued progress, though typically these appointments are not as frequent as within your first year post-surgery.

Most bariatric patients see their full weight loss up to two years after surgery.

If, for some reason, you do begin gaining weight back, our team has the tools and resources to help you. We offer our Back on Track program for patients who need support after surgery to prevent weight gain.

Learn more about the resources and support we offer throughout your bariatric journey.

Making the decision to have bariatric surgery can be an important step toward living your fullest, healthiest life. Talk to your doctor to learn more about our bariatric program and how you can get started on your weight loss journey today.