Surgical Weight Loss Qualification Process

The process leading up to weight loss surgery and the care you receive after that surgery uses a multidisciplinary approach that involves you, your family, your primary care physician, any specialists you see, and psychological and nutritional counselors.

Dr. Bagan strongly believes that all of these people will be instrumental in the pre- and post-operative process. Consulting with them from the first step will help ensure the journey you are about to begin to a new, healthier life will be smooth, safe and free of complications.

The following 9 steps outline what you can expect leading up to bariatric surgery.  Due to the advance notice typically required, you may also want to schedule your appointment with your primary care doctor and psychiatrist as soon as possible.

Step 1: Attend a seminar 

Your first step is to attend a seminar. The seminar will give you a chance to meet Dr. Bagan.  At the seminar, we will discuss the surgery, its risks and benefits, the insurance process and address any of your questions. The seminar lasts about 2 hours.

Step 2: Attend a consult

This consult visit will give you a chance to address any questions you may have concerning Gastric Banding surgery. At the consultation, we will ask you to complete an information packet. The information we gather from you in this packet is important since it tells our office staff  who you are and about your general medical condition. It makes it much easier for us to assist you on your journey and answer any questions you, your family, or doctor may have about your options. This information will help you decide if a gastric band surgery is the best treatment for you.

Step 3: See your primary care doctor

To assure long-term success and good quality care, your primary doctor will play an important role in your treatment.   Many insurance companies have strict guideline for bariatric surgery coverage.  Many request a 6 month physician supervised diet to be completed prior to approval.  This means seeing your Primary Care Physician every month for 6 consecutive months.

Step 4: Have a psychiatric evaluation

In accordance with all bariatric recommendations and guidelines for weight loss surgery, all of Dr. Bagan's potential patients must undergo a psychiatric evaluation prior to surgery. This may be completed by either a psychologist or psychiatrist and generally, the evaluation takes about an hour.

Step 5: Attend a nutrition appointment

Call our office at 941-740-4150 and make an appointment.  This visit will give you a chance to address any dietary concerns or questions you may have about nutrition and diet after surgery. At this point, we will provide you with information about and examples of the required pre- and post-surgical diets.

Step 6: Join a support group.

This can be an online support group or our local gastric banding support group that meets every second and fourth Tuesday at 7:00 pm at Fawcett Memorial Hospital on Olean Boulevard in Port Charlotte, Florida in the executive Dining Room. This is a very important step in the process since it will allow you to learn from other patients, get answers to your questions, and eventually help others who are just beginning their weight loss journey.

Step 7: Write your patient letter

Dr. Bagan feels very strongly about the benefits of writing this letter as part of the patient education process. Not only does it give him a chance to get to know you better, but it is a way for him to make sure you understand the risks involved in the Lap-Band procedure. It is easy to see all the benefits of surgery and to gloss over the risks involved in the procedure. Writing this letter forces you to rethink your decision to undergo weight loss surgery and carefully determine if this treatment is really right for you. Remember, this is a life-changing event, and you will have to make lifelong commitments to this process.

Step 8: Ask a family member to write a letter

You need to find a family member willing to write a letter in support of your decision to have surgery. It is important that your family knows and understands why you want to have a gastric banding surgery. Family support is vital in the post-operative process. Your family must be able to recognize the signs of possible complications and understand the changes you will undergo. Physical, emotional and lifestyle changes will not only affect you but will also impact your family

Step 9: Take photos

We will take two photos of you, one will be a frontal view and the other will be a side view. Many patients do not realize the changes in their appearance until they se their photographs.

Step 10: Review the consent form

Review the consent form. Your signature on this form is required in addition to your signature on the surgical consent form required by the hospital. During your pre-operative exam, you will be given a marked copy of this consent that you will need to take home and complete. Do not sign it until the morning of your surgery. It must be signed in your nurse's presence. If you have any questions, concerns, or religious beliefs that are in conflict with the consent form, please let us know prior to surgery