Preoperative Process
 Initial Consultation
LifeStyle Management Program Preopertive
Insurance
Preoperative Consultation
Initial Consultation
This appointment generally lasts about two hours. Your surgeon will discuss details about your surgery, the benefits and complications. Before you can be scheduled for this appointment, you must have a completed registration packet.
Preoperative tests will be ordered at this time that may include:
A. Lab work: All patients are required to have specific laboratory testing.
B. EKG: All patients must have an EKG performed.
C. Sleep Study: Many patients will be required to obtain a sleep study. Although inconvenient, this test is very important to your postoperative outcome. Sleep apnea is a very common disorder in persons of size, which can cause complications such as low blood oxygen levels, heart arrhythmias and heart attacks. Diagnosing and treating this disorder before surgery may significantly improve your postoperative course.
D. Stress Test: Patients at risk for heart disease will need a stress test to decrease the risk of any heart problems during surgery. Often, before this test is performed, you must have stopped taking certain blood pressure medications. Call the lab several days before you have this test to make sure you are not taking a medication that would interfere with the study.
LifeStyle Management Program: Preopertive
At Einstein Bariatrics, we believe that successful patient outcomes are not solely based on the quality of the surgery. Providing preoperative education as well as long-term multispecialty support to our patients is equally important. Our registered dietitians, exercise specialists and psychologist offer educational tools that will help you.
Without exception, all patients associated with Einstein Bariatrics must use our team of registered dietitians, exercise trainers and psychologist. The services include:
Support Groups:
Our support groups meet monthly. Call our office at 215-663-6422 for dates and times.
Registered Dietician
The nutritionist is your resource to learn about healthy eating after weight loss surgery. Our nutritionists provide preoperative educational consultations and give very helpful and informative postoperative lectures. They are also available for one-on-one postoperative consultations and will occasionally participate in support group meetings.
Psychologist
Einstein Bariatrics has a psychologist who specializes in bariatric psychology and is focused on helping our patients in their transition to a healthier self. He performs preoperative evaluations to learn more about you so we are able plan your individual postoperative needs. He runs our support groups and closely follows our patients in the postoperative period.
Exercise Physiologist
A personalized session with the exercise specialists from MossRehab is included. Structured programs are designed for the specialized needs of our bariatric patients. Also included are their postoperative services during support groups and other educational seminars.
Printed Educational Materials
- Handbook for surgery
- Nutritional education
- Consents, examination and other handouts for psychological testing
Insurance
Insurance approval, if applicable, must be obtained before the preoperative assessment is scheduled. Einstein Bariatrics can assist you with the approval process required by an insurance carrier. Some common reasons why the surgery is not approved include:
- Lack of documentation of the failure of a medically supervised diet.
- Patient does not meet weight criteria.
- Patient does not have significant weight-related medical problems as defined by his or her insurance company.
- Patient has specific exclusion to any bariatric surgery.
- Insurance does not allow out-of-network facilities or doctors.
- Lack of documentation of psychological, nutritional or medical clearance.
Any member of the bariatric team reserves the right to postpone or cancel surgery for medical or psychological reasons. You also have the ability to forego insurance. This section is intended for education and informational purposes only. Einstein Bariatrics cannot predict whether surgery will be approved.
Preoperative Consultation
Two weeks before surgery you will have your required preoperative consultation. At this consultation the surgeon will review the consent form, preoperative diet and preoperative testing.
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