Pathway to Surgery
The decision to undergo surgery to control obesity should be considered very carefully and should only be chosen after all other options for weight control are exhausted. These procedures involve major surgery and you must consider the risks and complications as well as the benefits. Your goal should be to lose 100% of your excess weight and keep that weight off for life–and to live a healthier and longer life.
Success after surgery depends on you, the patient. Your participation is required to optimize weight control and maintain nutritional health. Your cooperation in our evaluation process will also make it easier for us to schedule your surgery as soon as possible. Your commitment to a new, healthier lifestyle is the key that will enable you to lose your excess weight and keep it off for life!
If You Are Considering Applying To Our Weight Loss Surgery Program, Please Read This Section Carefully.
Getting Started
The pathway to surgery at Scottsdale Bariatric Center is easy. If you've determined that you may be a good candidate for weight loss surgery, simply click here for our new patient packet, which will arrive by email, or if you are unable to print the packet, call our office at 800.504.9567 to request a copy by mail. The new patient packet contains detailed instructions on how to proceed, including a checklist with everything you need to know to get started.
Follow the new patient checklist to find out how to confirm your insurance coverage and submit your new patient packet and support documentation. After we receive your packet and documentation, we will send a confirmation by postcard or email. If you provide your email address in the packet, you are giving us permission to contact you via this method. Please DO NOT call our office to confirm that we are processing your information. Due to heavy call volume, we cannot respond to these requests. Once we have finished the evaluation, we will call you to schedule a consultation.
During this consultation you will meet with our clinicians to discuss your surgery options. During your first visit, we will cover all aspects of our surgical program, patient follow-up and support programs. This will include a detailed explanation of the Laparascopic Gastric Bypass and LAP-BAND® procedures.
New patient consultations usually range from 45 minutes to one hour long and you will need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. At your initial consultation, we will review your health and history form with you, and perform a complete physical examination.
You'll also learn what you can expect from us as the medical staff and what we expect from you as a patient. Patients are encouraged to bring a family member or friend, and to ask questions.
At the conclusion of your consultation, we will review the pre-operative tests and medical records necessary to complete your chart. Studies to evaluate you for co-morbidities – diseases caused by obesity – will be requested by Scottsdale Bariatric Center for you through your primary care physician. You will need to contact your primary care doctor to schedule these tests and make sure the results are returned to our office. All required tests must be completed at least two weeks prior to surgery.
We appreciate your patience during the pre-surgical evaluation process. At Scottsdale Bariatric Center, your health and safety are our primary concerns. By being dedicated to completing the process, you can help us schedule the surgery at your earliest convenience.