Surgical Weight Loss

If you have struggled with weight loss and are tired of trying diets, medications and weight-loss memberships to little or no success, the talented surgeons at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center can help. 

Weight-loss surgery helps people lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach or bypassing part of the patient’s intestines. After surgery, patients eat less food to feel full and satisfied.

Are you a candidate for weight-loss surgery?

Weight-loss surgery may be right for you if:

• You are over the age of 18
• Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is greater than 30
• You have tried other weight-loss methods without success
• You are medically stable and physically able to withstand surgery
• You pass a psychological screening test that helps ensure you are able to comply with post-surgical behavior modifications
• You complete all required preoperative testing and requirements

Weight-loss Surgery – The 7 Step Process

Here are the steps involved in the weight-loss surgical process at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

1. Verify insurance benefits (for insured patients only)
2. Schedule appointment 
3. Complete pre-weight-loss surgery requirements as directed by Dr. Yelverton.
4. Last consultation and scheduling surgery
5. Surgery completed at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
6. Post-operative follow-up care.

Weight-loss Procedures 

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center offers several different bariatric surgery options, including: 

• Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Robotic Gastric Bypass
• Hiatal Hernia
• Gastric Revision

Frequently Asked Questions About Weight-loss Surgery

How old do I have to be to have weight-loss surgery?
Typically, patients need to be between the ages of 18 and 68 years of age.

How do I qualify for weight-loss surgery?
Patients need to be at least 60 pounds overweight and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35. 

What tests and medical exams will I need to pass before I have surgery?
All patients need to pass a psychological screening that determines an ability to comply with post-surgical behavior modifications. Patients are also required to complete all pre-operative testing and be declared both medically and physically able to withstand surgery.

Will my insurance cover the cost of the surgery?
Many insurance companies and Medicare are now covering the cost of weight-loss surgery. Check with your provider and/or your physician to determine if this procedure is covered by your insurance company.

How long will I be in the hospital after surgery?
Most patients are in the hospital for less than 24-hours.

Where will my surgery be performed?
All surgeries are performed at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

What can I eat after surgery?
While in the hospital, you will start the postoperative process on a liquid diet. As you progress, you'll move to a diet of pureed foods, then to a diet of regular foods, as instructed by your doctor. Your individual progress will determine the length of time of each diet phase. After your weight-loss surgery, you will eat significantly less food to feel full. 

During the first several months of reduced food intake, some patients experience nausea, vomiting, food intolerance, changes in bowel movements, constipation, transient hair loss and loss of muscle mass. Most patients see a significant improvement in how they feel when dietary intake improves.

What is recovery like?
You and your doctor will discuss a post-operative plan that will help ensure your long-term weight-loss, including referrals to nutritionists, exercise programs, psychotherapists and support groups. Recovery times vary from patient to patient. Most patients can resume normal activities five to seven days after surgery.

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you.