Marquette General Bariatric & Metabolic Institute

 

Your Path To Weight Loss Surgery

 

Weight loss surgery is an important decision.  We encourage you to learn as much as you can about the surgery and the lifestyle adjustments that are needed to be successful.

 

Following the steps to weight loss surgery assists you in making an informed choice that is right for you.   If you would like more information at any point in this very important journey, call our office at 225-7979 or 1 888 655-7979 or email us at weightloss@mgh.org.

 

 

Public Seminar:  This program provides information on the types of weight loss surgery, criteria for surgery, guidelines to follow before and after surgery, and the lifestyle changes that are necessary for long-term success.  The program provides an opportunity to meet Dr. Wayne English and members of our multi-disciplinary team. 

 

Attendance at the Public Seminar is a requirement for Bariatric Surgery.

 

Insurance Verification:  It’s never too early to contact your insurance carrier.  Insurance carriers and individual plans vary in coverage for surgical weight loss and related services.  It’s important for you to contact your carrier to determine the bariatric surgery coverage and requirements specific to your plan.  We can help, but it’s ultimately up to you.
 
Contact Your Primary Care Physician:  We work with your primary care physician to give you the best health care possible.   Your primary care physician can assist you with the documentation necessary to meet insurance criteria.  He/she will also make the formal referral that allows us to coordinate your care. 

Request that medical notes related to obesity, and a referral, be sent to:


Wayne English, M.D., F.A.C.S.        
Marquette General Surgical Weight Loss Center                  
580 West College Avenue
Marquette, MI  49855


Phone: 906 225-7979 or 1 888-655-7979
Fax:      906 225-4815 or 906 225-7997

 

New Patient Education Day:  If you believe surgical weight loss is right for you, and you meet your insurance criteria then request your primary care physician to send a referral to our office.  After receiving the referral, we will call you to schedule a New Patient Education Day appointment.  During this appointment we work with you to determine appropriateness for surgery and provide further education.

 

Plan on spending 4-5 hours at our clinic.  This appointment will include further group education explaining surgical options and lifestyle changes.  Dr. English will review the types of surgery available at the center, and address general surgical questions.  A registered dietitian will introduce the bariatric diet, and give a brief nutrition overview of what to expect following surgical weight loss surgery.  You will then have a new patient office visit with a physician assistant, nurse practioner or physician.  They will review your medical history questionnaire to determine if you meet the National Institutes of Health criteria to proceed with the weight loss surgery process.

 

Cost:  $40 program fee. In addition, your insurance will be billed for a new patient visit and you will be responsible for deductible and co-pay.

 

Multidisciplinary Day:

 

Following your education day, you will be scheduled for Multidisciplinary Day (MDD).  This process is expected to last approximately 4-6 hours. You will have a comprehensive physical exam, meet in a small group with a registered dietitian for nutritional counseling, and meet with an exercise specialist for a fitness evaluation.  You will also be scheduled to have a chest x-ray, upper GI study, and blood drawn for lab tests.  If indicated, you will be scheduled for further testing prior to clearance for surgery.

 

Cost: $110 program fee. In addition, your insurance will be billed for labs, x-ray, psychological exam, physical exam, and any additional testing/clearance indicated by your personal health status.  You will be responsible for insurance deductibles and co-pays.

 

If cardiology clearance is required, a 3-step appointment system will be arranged.

 

a.  Your first appointment is an initial assessment to decide whether testing is required.


b.  Your second appointment will be the tests that were ordered.


c.  Your third appointment will be with Dr. Brayden, a cardiologist.  Test results will be reviewed and you will be informed if you are cleared to undergo surgery. If you have not had a psychological evaluation, you need to schedule one at this time.

           
Surgery Clearance:   You will be scheduled for bariatric surgery when all test results and clearances for surgery have been obtained, reviewed and approved by Dr. English.  

 

Surgery and Hospitalization:  The average length of stay for laparoscopic surgery is:

 

  • Outpatient surgery for gastric banding
  • One day for sleeve gastrectomy
  • Two days for gastric bypass
  • Three to Four days for any open procedures

 

This is based on an uncomplicated recovery, and each patient is assessed for discharge according to his/her health status.  You will be given specific guidelines for nutrition and activities prior to discharge. 

 

Post-Surgical Follow-up: 

You will be scheduled for routine follow-up appointments with Dr. English and the staff at Surgical Weight Loss.  In addition, it is highly recommended that you participate in support groups. 

 

Dr. English or a member of the multidisciplinary team will lead the group in discussions on post surgical issues and concerns, including nutrition and lifestyle changes. Two support groups are offered for surgical weight loss patients. These groups meet the third Tuesday of each month. Video conferencing is available upon request. Occasionally, a guest speaker will lecture on bariatric-related topics. 
 

  • Immediate post-surgical support group is open to patients who have had surgery at MGH within the past three months.

  • Ongoing support group is primarily for those who have had surgery beyond three months including those who have had surgery at other centers.
    This groups meets every third Tuesday of the month from 5:00-6:30 p.m. EST. Video conferencing is available upon request.

 

 In addition, those who are considering bariatric surgery and patients who have had bariatric surgery elsewhere are welcome to attend.