Weight Loss Options

Considering This Journey of Transformation?

Weight Loss surgery is a life-changing procedure. Not only can it eliminate most serious health risks associated with obesity, but the results often provide an improved self-image, renewed confidence and increased energy.

However, weight loss surgery is a major operation, and it’s not for everyone. Candidates for surgery typically exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:

• are 100 pounds or more overweight
• have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40, or
• have a BMI of over 35 and are experiencing severe negative health effects, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, related to being severely overweight (Use our BMI calculator to determine your BMI)
• unable to lose weight or maintain weight loss through traditional methods such as diet and exercise

Delivering On Our Promise to You

Learn more about why patients chose Catawba Valley Medical Center for the most advanced care available:

• Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
• Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Roux-en-YGastric Bypass

At Catawba Valley Medical Center, our surgeons perform Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, commonly referred to as gastric bypass using state-of-the-art laparoscopic methods, resulting in less invasive procedures, fewer complications and short hospital stays for patients.

First, the surgeon creates a small stomach (permanently reduced to an egg-sized pouch) to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.

Those who undergo gastric bypass typically lose between 50 and 70 percent of their excess weight. Since this procedure results in greater weight loss than other methods, it has also been more effective in improving the health problems associated with severed obesity such as hypertension, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. Gastric bypass is currently the most effective option for long-term control of morbid obesity.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

During a sleeve gastrectomy, a sleeve-shaped tube is created from a small portion of the stomach and the majority of the stomach is removed without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption. It is purely a restrictive procedure. Food passes through the new stomach tube directly into the intestines. Nutrients and calories are absorbed from food normally, but the smaller stomach limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.

Sleeve gastrectomy is performed laparoscopically and can be a permanent surgical solution to manage weight.

Pathway to Surgery

Our experience, outcomes, dedicated staff, support group network and professional-led aftercare contribute to our excellence in care. We have outlined the pathway to surgery below for your convenience:

Step One: Contact our center at 828.326.2082 to receive a patient information packet in the mail.

Step Two: Register and attend one of our free informational seminars. To view the schedule of our upcoming seminars and to register click here or call 828.326.2082 and speak to the Bariatric Nurse Navigator.

Step Three: If you plan to go through insurance, we will need to verify that this surgery is a covered benefit on your policy. Certification is a different process that will be completed prior to surgery by the surgeon’s office on your behalf.

Step Four: Complete the patient information and medical history forms. Obtain all insurance required medical record documentation. Complete a psychological evaluation from the approved list in the packet that you initially received. In addition to a referral letter from your primary care physician, you will need to have a comprehensive physical exam which includes a thyroid panel. You may also be required by your health insurance carrier to complete a medically supervised weight loss program for three to six months prior to surgery (including monthly documentation of weight, dietary, exercise and lifestyle modification at each visit).

Step Five: When step four is completed, a surgical consultation will be scheduled.

Step Six: Insurance approval. Your application, medical records and a letter of medical necessity will be prepared and submitted to your insurance company for written approval. Authorization can take up to four or more weeks depending on your insurance.

Step Seven: Pre-operative visit will be scheduled approximately 10 days prior to your surgery.

These important steps will ensure that you will be well prepared for the surgery. We will be happy to assist you in any way as you prepare to take the next step toward a healthier lifestyle.