We typically see patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more (which translates to about 100 pounds overweight for men and 80 pounds overweight for women).
At the Nicholson Clinic, if going the self-pay route, our qualification is typically a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. If using insurance, our qualifications typically include:
- A BMI between 30 and 39.9 with at least one serious obesity-related health issue such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, severe sleep apnea, hypertension, etc.
- A history of obesity for at least five years.
- Patients may also need a pre-surgical psychological evaluation and dietitian appointment.
In our experience, the qualifying requirements are often:
- BMI over 40 -OR-
- BMI over 35 with one or more underlying health conditions (such as obstructive sleep apnea, coronary heart disease, medically refractory hypertension, or type 2 diabetes)
Coverage for your weight loss surgery is dependent on your specific insurance plan; and you will likely need to complete a few steps for coverage, i.e. complete a medically supervised diet program, schedule a psychiatric evaluation to obtain a mental health clearance letter, and schedule a nutritional evaluation from a Registered Dietitian. At the Nicholson Clinic, you will be assigned a Patient Care Advocate (PCA) to help you navigate this process.
While most major insurance carriers have bariatric coverage and will cover weight loss surgery if it is considered medically necessary and the patient meets the set criteria, it’s important to find out whether your specific employer group policy covers it. At the Nicholson Clinic, our insurance specialists will verify coverage on your behalf.
Patients should consult with their doctor as to which is the best weight loss procedure for them, based on their individual needs. Typically, gastric bypass patients lose 70-80% of excess weight after 12 months, and gastric sleeve patients lose up to 70% of their excess weight after 12 months.
We ask our patients who smoke to quit six to eight weeks prior to their weight loss surgery as smoking can complicate the surgical procedure itself and inhibit recovery.
Of course, we also encourage our patients to continue to avoid cigarettes in the long term as smoking does not fit with a new, healthier lifestyle.
Obesity can lead to a number of serious diseases and health complications such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, joint disease, GERD, heart disease, infertility and even certain types of cancer. Bariatric surgery, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, can reduce the risk of developing these health issues and eliminate them all together. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels can return to normal and patients may no longer need medications. Weight loss surgery can lead to a longer, happier, healthier, more active life.
Weight loss surgery decreases the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients and/or restricts the amount of food you can consume. This can result in malnutrition, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies, that can be damaging to your health. Therefore, all patients should take vitamins for life as recommended by their bariatric surgeon. In addition to vitamins and minerals, patients learn to eat smaller, healthier meals; eat food high in protein first, and maintain hydration. Your weight loss surgery clinic should provide post-op nutrition support and offer key points for healthy eating habits for lifelong success.
Here are eight key things to consider when choosing a bariatric surgeon.
- Research the Surgeon’s Credentials
- Consider the Doctor’s Experience
- Research Hospital or Surgery Center Quality
- Ask for Referrals
- Talk to Your Friends and Family
- Evaluate the Surgeon’s Patient Support Offerings
- Know What Your Insurance Covers
- Meet with the Surgeon and Trust Your Instincts
