Obesity is a complex disease that doesn’t always respond effectively to medical management. Bariatric surgery is often a more effective treatment to maintain weight loss and improve or resolve obesity, especially when it’s related to medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and others.

But weight-loss surgery alone is not enough. Our patients understand that it takes hard work and dedication to maintain a healthy weight for life.

• BMI over 40
  • If your BMI is between 35 and 39.9, you must have significant medical issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or sleep apnea
• A minimum of five years struggling with obesity with repeated attempts to keep weight off through diet and exercise
• Must be over 18 years of age
• No untreated medical or significant psychiatric conditions that may cause serious complications
• Ability to commit to lifestyle changes necessary for success

Bariatric surgery has been proven to help improve or resolve medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and more. Weight-loss surgery alone is not the answer. It’s a step in the plan to help you achieve a healthy weight, improve your quality of life and help you live longer.

Verify with your insurance provider that your plan has bariatric benefits. Please provide a copy of your plan's bariatric coverage to our office manager for your chart.

Your weight-loss surgeon will discuss your options based on your medical conditions and lifestyle. You and the bariatric surgeon will decide on a weight-loss treatment plan together. You can learn more about your weight-loss options at MetroWest Medical Center.

• You must be seen by the nutritionist, weight-loss surgeon and a behavioral health practitioner familiar with bariatric surgery.
• You must have medical clearance from your primary care provider.
• Additional clearances may include cardiology, pulmonary breathing tests, etc.
• You’ll receive a checklist of what you’ll need to have done when you have your initial consultation.
• Bariatric surgery will not be scheduled until the evaluation is completed.

Each insurance plan has its own criteria for preoperative evaluation and screening. We work with you to make sure you are medically ready for the procedure.

1. Attend your scheduled appointments.
   • No shows, cancelling appointments or having months between appointments may negatively impact the approval process with your insurance provider
   • Cancelling with a provider at the last minute affects their availability to assist others who also need care
2. Lose weight if you can.
   • Our nutritionist will help you get started with weight loss, which is important to help your medical status and make your weight-loss surgery safer for you
   • Many insurance providers will not authorize a bariatric surgical procedure if the patient gains weight during the evaluation process
3. Exercise.
   • After getting approval from you primary care provider, start an exercise program to help your heart and lungs and decrease some of the operative risk
4. Follow the correct sleep apnea treatment.
   • Individuals who have obstructive sleep apnea and are prescribed positive pressure therapy for sleep need to understand how important this therapy is to health

• Attend our free information session. It is mandatory for your enrollment in our program. Learn more about attending an information session or call us at (508) 650-7725.
• Obtain a referral from your PCP if required by insurance plan.
• Call (508) 650-7725 to schedule your initial consultation.
• Do your research about your weight-loss options with MetroWest Medical Center.

• Follow the dietary guidelines provided to you.
  • Our guidelines are evidence-based and designed for the specific procedure performed
  • Patients who follow the instructions for dietary intake, hydration, activity and vitamins/supplements have fewer complications and are more successful over the long term
• Include activity daily.
  • A healthy lifestyle includes activity, which is necessary to achieve a balance of calories in and out and to build and maintain healthy muscle
  • Check with your primary care provider to be sure you are medically safe to exercise
• Avoid behaviors that can be unhealthy such as smoking, drinking soda and alcohol and eating a lot of “junk” food.
• Attend support group meetings
  • Our support group meetings offer helpful information and present the opportunity to network with others on the same journey
• Follow up with your bariatric surgeon and team
  • Complications or nutritional deficiencies can develop over time and need to be evaluated
  • Get annual assessments of your health and lab work so you know your nutritional status