Getting Started
Since 1996, Western Surgical Group has been Northern Nevada’s most trusted bariatric surgery provider. Our surgeons have performed over 6,000 minimally invasive weight loss procedures. As one of the Nation’s first Bariatric Centers of Excellence and the first in Northern Nevada, Western Surgical’s staff includes nationally recognized clinicians, including Northern Nevada’s only Doctor of Nursing Practice, specializing in bariatric care.
Our comprehensive program ensures you receive the education, support, and care you need as you progress in your weight loss surgery journey.
How to Start Western Surgical’s Weight Loss Surgery Process:
If you are interested in pursuing weight loss surgery with WSG, follow the steps below to get started. We have a patient advocate who will work directly with you to answer any questions and provide support alongside you on your path to surgery:
1. Watch Western Surgical’s Free Bariatric Surgery Seminar
Available 24/7, John Ganser, MD, FACS, discusses the obesity epidemic in the United States. He details Western Surgical’s bariatric surgery program and our weight loss surgical options.
2. Complete Patient Information Form
The first step to becoming part of our weight loss surgery program is to fill out our Patient Information Form. (Click here for downloadable PDF version)
Forms can be emailed to mhermosillo@westernsurgical.com.
If you prefer, print the form and fill it out. We offer three options:
- Fax it to 775-789-9210
- Drop it off at our office
- Mail it to 75 Pringle Way Suite #1002, Reno, Nevada 89502
Once we receive your form, we will confirm that you are a bariatric surgery candidate. While it is the patient’s responsibility to ensure insurance coverage for surgery, our verification process includes contacting your insurance company for confirmation. Please allow 3-4 business days between the date you submit and patient eligibility confirmation.
3. How to Verify Your Insurance Coverage
Should you need to get insurance verification, it is helpful to know the following codes when discussing coverage:
Gastric Bypass – 43644
Gastric Sleeve – 43775
Gastric Band Removal – 43774
Diagnosis Code for Morbid Obesity – E66.01
4. Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program
Under Western Surgical’s bariatric team’s supervision, patients must undergo a medically supervised weight loss program.
While this information is covered in the Steps to Success program, pre-operative weight loss serves multiple purposes:
- Makes the surgery safer
- Lowers risk of complications
- Reduces the size of your liver
- Reduces intra-abdominal fat
Your Weight Loss Journey is Unique
Remember, the path to surgery differs for each patient and may vary depending on your insurance coverage. Our staff is here to help you every step of the way to ensure the process is as easy and stress-free as possible.
Questions? Please call our office at 775-323-7500.
Western Surgical Group is a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery in Northern Nevada.
