Weight Loss Surgery Steps

How to determine if Weight Loss Surgery is the right choice for you

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First Steps:

1. Attend one of our optional Weight Loss Support Groups

In the support groups, you’ll meet other people just like you, who have chosen to have Weight Loss Surgery. Together you can share tips and support. These groups are optional.

The full schedule of support group meetings can be found here.

2. Verify Insurance Information

You will need to call your insurance company to determine if Bariatric surgery is a covered benefit. Most insurance requires 4 – 6 months of supervised diet and exercise programs with your Primary Care Provider, as well as a Letter of Support. The codes for the operative procedures are:

• • Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass: CPT 43644
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy: CPT 43775

Next Steps:

3. Call us to answer pre-qualifying questions and scheduling at 984-974-6519

• • You must answer pre-qualifying medical questions prior to scheduling
  • Based on your responses, you may be offered an appointment with our surgical or non-surgical team
  • You may be asked to have a referral sent before scheduling based on your insurance requirements

4. Proceed through a multidisciplinary medical evaluation

• • Initial medical assessment with a medical weight loss provider to determine if medical or surgical treatment is best for you
    • Lab work is typically done at this first visit, fasting is not required
  • If surgical treatment is the best option, based on insurance requirements, you may continue to work with the medical weight loss team for a period of time
  • Intake clinic appointment with a dietitian and bariatric nurse practitioner at our Hillsborough location to discuss the surgical program requirements
    • In English: Bariatric Info Packet 2023    en Espanol:  CIRUGÍA BARIÁTRICA EN UNC 2023
  • Group Nutrition appointment, with dietitian follow-up 4 weeks after group appointment
  • Psychologist appointment, to help determine if you are emotionally prepared to make lifelong lifestyle changes
  •  Additional follow up with the dietitian and/or nurse practitioner as needed; working to ensure that you have or will have the necessary support system around you as you proceed through treatments
  • Additional program visits will be scheduled as needed
  • If you are a surgical candidate, once all program and insurance requirements have been met, we will submit everything to your insurance company for final approval
  • Upon approval, an appointment with a Bariatric Surgeon will be scheduled for consultation and surgery date
  • Following surgery you will have a post-op visit within two-weeks, as well as follow-up appointments with the dietitian and medical provider at 3 months, 6 months, 18 months, and annually for 5 years

Additional Information:

• • Contraindications to Weight Loss Surgery