The Steps for Weight Loss Success

The steps that you will take to have a successful surgery through Western Bariatric Insitute’s weight loss surgery center are really simple, to the point, and will leave you feeling at ease and well-informed.

Depending on your weight, you will need to take a few steps in the right direction before actually undergoing the surgery, which in some cases, may take 6 to 12 months.

Generally, this is what will need to happen:

1. You will attend our patient seminar. It will inform you of the different types of surgeries that we offer, which are safest, and a general overview of how the surgery is performed and the changes that will go into effect in your body after it is done.
2. We will set you up with a patient advocate if you choose to move forward with the surgery. Our patient advocate will run over exactly what will happen, once again, ask you if you have any questions or concerns, and do a quick overview of your overall health.
3. Consult with one of our surgeons.
4. Begin attending specially curated nutrition classes.
5. Our surgeons require that you lose 10% of your excess body weight (different from your total weight) prior to surgery and we will assist you in this effort by putting you on a specific pre-operative diet. Most patients find that they will be able to complete the pre-operative process quickly and that the time from seminar to a surgery date is about 2 – 3 months.

This time frame depends heavily on the patient’s motivation and schedule to get the checklist items completed and the requirements met by their specific insurance company. (Some insurance companies may add 6 – 9 additional months to this time frame based on their pre-authorization requirements.)

This diet is called the Step-by-Step Pre-Operative Diet and may range from 4 – 8 weeks or longer for some patients. This diet will be discussed in detail at your Steps to Success Class.

Most insurance plans are VERY strict on the requirements that need to be met in order to be approved for weight loss surgery. They will require you to at least have a BMI of 35 or higher with 1-2 co-morbid conditions that you can document or a BMI of 40 of higher.

Check your BMI.

Visit our news sections for helpful eating and exercise tips! (Here’s a few below to get you started)

• Weight Loss Cheat Sheet
• Healthy Snacking Habits 
• Calorie Math: Here’s How to Count
• Reading a Food Label 
• Curb Your Sugar Habit

It is the goal of our practice to provide patients and their families with the necessary information and tools to make an informed decision as to whether weight loss surgery is the right option for them.

Contact WBI today!