Posted on June 3, 2010 at 1:04 PM in Bariatric Surgery, Informational Seminar, Weight Loss Surgery
What is a Patient Advocate and what can this person do for you? The patient advocate at the New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery is a person that is here to help you get started and answer your questions about the practice and our program. Whether you are gathering information about bariatric surgery for the first time, or are ready to register for a seminar, your patient advocate is here to help you on your weight loss journey!
The most often asked question I hear when I talk to a potential patient for the first time is usually: where do I start? First you should establish if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery. To be candidate for weight loss surgery you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35. Secondly, you should register and attend one of our free informational seminars. The seminars are given by one of our physicians, and they will discuss the different procedures that are available at our office, our program that each patient will follow after having a procedure as well as insurance information.
The seminars are about an hour and half long and each person is allowed to bring a support person with them. If you are interested in pursuing a revisional procedure, but did not have your original bariatric procedure with our office, you will also attend a seminar to get started. If you have attended one of our seminars over a year from the date you wish to schedule your consultation appointment, we ask that you attend another seminar so that you will have all of the up to date information about our office and program.
As soon as the next day, after attending a seminar, you can call our office to schedule a consultation appointment with one of our physicians. You may also call the office if you have any additional questions regarding our office or our program and ask for the patient advocate. I look forward to assisting you on your weight loss journey!
Ashley Dobson, B.S.
Patient Advocate.
Posted on September 15, 2009 at 3:27 PM in Bariatric Surgery, Informational Seminar, LapBand, Weight Loss Surgery
Are you interested in weight loss surgery? Are you thinking about attending an informational seminar? Curious about what you should expect to learn when attending a bariatric surgery informational seminar?
First, the seminar should give information on what criteria is used to select patients and what type of patient does or does not qualify for surgical weight loss. You should be informed about why bariatric surgery is the best solution for those patients who qualify rather than traditional weight loss options. Information should be presented on the practice’s complication rates along with the success rate of their patient population.
A road map of the steps to bariatric surgery should be clearly presented and you should leave the seminar with clear understanding of what the next step would be. The types of options offered should be addressed and the differences between those options should be clearly explained. Information on the pathway to and through surgery including the hospital pathway, the day of surgery, how long a typical hospital stay is for bariatric surgery and what the general after surgery follow up plan consists of should all be included.
You should also be given information on costs for a patient with insurance coverage for weight loss surgery and for a patient who is pursuing weight loss surgery on a self-pay basis; details of what is included in the self-pay package should also be included. Does the practice offer financing? Does the practice offer insurance against complications for self-pay patients? If so, those options should be outlined as well.
In closing, you should leave the seminar with a clear understanding of the steps in your journey toward weight loss surgery and you should feel confident in the ability of the practice that you choose to provide all the services that are needed. Make a list of questions to take with you and check off the answers as you hear them. Make sure you ask any that are not answered within the presentation. Everyone will have unique concerns but be sure your list includes the following items:
1. Is the practice an ASMBS Center of Excellence?
2. Do they provide you with staff for support in each of the following areas: Obtaining Insurance approval, Specially trained nurses, an Exercise Physiologist, a Registered Dietitian, Coordinators to help you navigate the weight loss journey, and a Patient Advocate
3. What are their complication rates?
4. How do their patients’ weight loss results compare to national studies?
5. Do they offer special pricing and insurance for self-pay patients?
6. Do they participate with your insurance?
Here are a few web links that may help you prepare for the seminar:
• www.blis.com
• www.asmbs.org
• www.obesityhelp.com
• www.covenantweightmanagement.com
At the New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery, we offer four free informational seminars per month rotating between Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and Sevierville. All of the aforementioned information is presented along with the opportunity to ask our staff questions after the seminar. We have a multi-disciplinary team on staff to assist you in your journey and we are here to make the process as smooth as possible for you. If you would like more information about our program or if you would like to register for a seminar, you may do so by calling our Patient Advocate at 865/694-9676. Bariatric surgery can be a life saving journey that can lead to a New Life for you!
