Frequently Asked Questions

You will meet with our surgeon or nurse practitioner where your medical and surgical history will be reviewed. The pros and cons of bariatric surgery will be discussed and a brief outline of the procedures and options our program offers will be explained. We encourage any and all questions to ensure you understand what the program entails and are comfortable with your choice to proceed toward surgery.

Once it has been determined you are a good candidate and you’ve met all of the criteria, you will be given a plan for surgery and be able to proceed with our program. Your initial consultation with one of our dietitians will also be scheduled at this time.

To schedule an appointment, please call 530-749-2409.

Yes. All patients are required to have several sessions with a dietitian who will collaborate closely with you to walk you through the program and educate you on the dietary and lifestyle changes required to make your surgery and post-operative weight loss a success. The number of sessions is usually determined by your health insurance.

Some patients may be required to lose some weight prior to surgery.

All patients are required to have a psychological evaluation to determine if there are any eating or mental health disorders which may impact your long-term post-operative health.

To ensure there are no hidden health problems, you will need to have a chest x-ray and an EKG. All patients will also be required to have blood tests done.

Many insurance plans require that preventative care such as Pap smear, mammograms, and colonoscopies be up to date prior to surgery. Some patients who have a history of heart disease or have taken the drug Fen-Phen in the past, may require an echocardiogram.

If all appointments are kept and pre-operative requirements completed, it normally takes around six months from the start of the program to a surgery date.

Some patients may require clearance from a specialty physician such as a pulmonologist or cardiologist if there are any pre-existing conditions.

The six-month program allows us to identify the patients who are truly motivated and committed and therefore will be the most successful following surgery.

As with any surgery or procedure, there is always a risk of complications. As the gastric bypass procedure is more complex, the chances of complications are a little higher. The sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach without intestinal surgery and therefore has a lower risk for complications. All potential complications will be discussed in depth prior to your surgery, and you will always be able to ask questions.

The answer is different for every patient and will depend on your choice of surgery along with your commitment to post-operative lifestyle, diet, and activity changes.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass generally results in more weight loss than the sleeve gastrectomy. For example, if you are 200 pounds overweight, you may lose on average around 90 - 100 pounds with the sleeve, and 120 - 140 pounds with a gastric bypass. If you have more weight to lose, you may need to consider the gastric bypass.

Yes! If you don’t follow the post-operative diet plan, you can regain some or all of the weight you have lost. Remember, bariatric surgery is a tool to help with weight loss - not a cure. You will still need to monitor your eating habits, including the type, frequency, and amount of food you eat. The stomach can and will re-stretch over time to accommodate larger food portions, so life-long commitment to a healthy diet is needed to ensure long-term success.

With laparoscopic surgery, there are smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospitalizations, and quicker recoveries for patients. An open surgery involves a large incision and can result in a longer recovery and an increased chance of complications.

Patients who have laparoscopic surgery are able to breathe more fully and get out of bed the night of their surgery. They’re also able to do more activities at home more quickly, and experience fewer hernias and wound infections.

On the day of your surgery, it is important that you arrive at the hospital with plenty of time to check in and prepare. After you check in at registration, you will be directed to the surgical preparation area. A nurse will meet you to walk you through the process, review your medical records, take your vital signs, perform a brief physical exam, and make sure that everything is ready. Sometimes additional testing may be ordered. Your anesthesia team will discuss your anesthesia and administer the appropriate form of anesthesia for you.

There is an option for self-pay, but final costs and appointments will need to be discussed in depth depending on the patient, the type of surgery selected, and appointments needed.