Bariatric Surgery Costs

The cost of Bariatric surgery can be quite high. The typical price of an operation can be $25,000 or more. Medical insurance coverage varies by state and insurance provider, and although some states have legislation in place that requires insurers to offer weight loss surgery for patients, providing it meets health criteria laid down by the National Institutes of Health, other states do not. This means that patients who would benefit from bariatric surgery often have to contend with providers that have not yet accepted that this kind of weight loss surgery can deliver powerful medical benefits that will save them money in the long run. A patient encountering this problem may have to work with his or her surgeon to prove to the health insurance provider that the proposed surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, but a potentially life-saving operation that will minimize future health problems.

Individuals who are interested in bariatric surgery and are on Medicare will be glad to know that it covers weight loss surgery for morbidly obese patients with an obesity-related or condition. Morbid obesity is defined as 100 or more pounds overweight or a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.

Of course, the costs do not end once a patient successfully undergoes bariatric surgery. Because weight loss can be significant, many individuals are left with loose, sagging skin that no longer has the elasticity to fit the new, slimmer shape. Since neither exercise nor diet will help tighten loose skin, many bariatric patients choose plastic surgery as a remedy. The cost of bariatric-related plastic surgery operations can vary significantly, depending on the patient’s condition, complications, the type of anesthesia, and other factors.

 

Some of the more popular post-bariatric surgery procedures include: abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), body lift (circumferential panniculectomy), brachioplasty (arm lift), breast lift, augmentation, or reduction, face and/or neck lift, and thigh lift.
 

Understanding The Gastric Bypass Diet

Gastric bypass – the newest method of losing weight today – is effective but risky. This method is not for everyone, especially not for those who only want to lose a few pounds. There are several considerations that must be discussed with the doctor before undergoing the procedure. It involves surgery which makes the stomach smaller. To make the stomach smaller, a small pouch that can only hold small amounts of food is made and connected to the lower portion of the small intestine. The patient feels full easily and consumes minimal amount of food. As a result, excess weight is lost quickly. But there are also risks involved, and one of them is nutrition insufficiency. Because of smaller food intake, the patient does not meet required levels of nutrients which results in poor health. For this reason, the gastric bypass diet is formulated.

The surgery causes changes in the shape and size of the patient’s stomach which cause discomfort and other side effects. However, these effects can be lessened by proper diet. Since the stomach is smaller, adjustment in food intake is necessary. Hence, the gastric bypass diet is divided into different phases to accommodate the strength and capabilities of the new stomach. The first phase is the clear fluid diet. This phase usually lasts for a couple of days after surgery. Clear broth, juice, water, non-fizzy soda, and gelatin are allowed in small amounts. The patient usually consumes three ounces every meal. Sugar and other seasonings are kept at minimal levels during this stage to prevent stressing the new stomach.

Three days following gastric bypass, patients are allowed to take a low-fat liquid diet. High-protein drinks like breakfast milk, food drinks, and adult supplement milk are recommended. Doctors also advise taking multivitamins and supplements at this stage to prevent nutrition loss. However, they stress that these must be chewable or in liquid form. The stomach is still in recovery and cannot handle digesting hard tablets and capsules. The low-fat liquid diet lasts for two weeks or until the doctor gives the signal to advance to soft food diet.

The soft diet is also called the puree diet because the food taken during this stage are mostly pureed. Common suggestions include baby food, mashed produce, soft eggs, cream cheese, and smooth gruel. Meats can also be reintroduced in the diet in pate or spreads. Again, emphasis is on the texture. The gastric bypass diet allows patients to eat almost anything as long as it is soft and smooth in texture. Doctors advise to keep food mildly seasoned but flavorful because this stage lasts for two months. Frustration from bland and soft food might make the patient eat foods that the stomach is not prepared to handle.

Regular diet resumes after two months of gastric bypass. This diet includes all the basic food groups but it is advisable to start with protein food to help build stomach muscle. By this time, the stomach is capable of handling differently textured food. Consuming liquids between meals is necessary to help the small stomach digest the food easily. Patients may have to forego rare meats to avoid gastrointestinal complications. Seek the advise of a nutritionist or dietician who can recommend ways to squeeze necessary nutrients in small food amount. Patients should follow the gastric bypass diet because proper nutrition is important whether you have a big or small stomach.

Bariatric Surgery Post-Op Eating

Following bariatric surgery, your body will need to heal and recover before you start eating a regular bariatric diet. While your body is recovering you will slowly progress from an all liquid diet to a solid food diet. This progression can take from 4-14 weeks depending on the type of surgery and the speed of recovery. Before adding a new type of food to your diet, make sure that you are following the guidelines given to you by your surgeon, dietitian, or bariatric physician.

 

Here are the typical bariatric post-op phases and the foods that can be consumed during each phase. These categories are typical but it's very important that you consult with your surgeon or physician since many procedures may differ and patients react to surgery differently.

 

Phase 1 - Clear Liquid (Week 1) :  During the first week after bariatric surgery it is very important to stay hydrated. This allows the pouch to heal while enabling you to take in nutrients to avoid malnutrition. Carry a bottle or container around with you all day to sip on so you can keep yourself hydrated as much as possible. Drink small amounts (4-6 ounces) and drink slowly (30 mins. to drink 6 ounces). When you feel full stop drinking. This first week you need to drink only liquids that you can see through. These include:

• artificially sweetened, non-carbonated beverages
• protein fruit drinks
• sugar-free gelatins
• clear broths

 

Phase 2 - Full Liquids (Week 2) : Full liquids are fluids that you can't see through. These can be added to your clear liquid diet 1-2 weeks after surgery. Full liquids include:

• skim milk
• yogurt
• creamy bariatric soups
• bariatric shakes
• bariatric puddings
• bariatric smoothies

Phase 3 - Pureed Foods (Weeks 3-6) : This allows the pouch to continue healing while gradually becoming accustomed to solid foods again. Pureed foods are soft foods that have been blended with a liquid broth or skim milk down to the consistency of apple sauce or baby food. It's recommended to not eat and drink at the same time. You should stop drinking 30 minutes before you eat, and wait another 30 minutes after eating before you drink again. Foods include:

• high-protein soft foods (pureed with skim milk or liquid broth)
• cottage cheese
• mashed potatoes
• cream of wheat

 

Phase 4 - Soft Foods (Weeks 6-14) : As you finish healing you will be more tolerant to soft foods. Soft foods are tender and easy to chew foods such as cooked macaroni noodles. You will want to make many small meals daily from these soft foods while keeping hydrating by sipping on water between meals. These meals should include high protein foods, and each bite should be chewed 25 times. Your doctor may want you to add a chewable or powdered multivitamin to your diet during this phase. This phase of the diet usually lasts 6-8 weeks.

• canned or soft fruits
• rice
• pasta
• cooked vegetables (except corn)
• ground or finely diced lean meats
• oatmeal
• eggs

 

 

Once your body has recovered from the surgery, your surgeon or physician will want to put you on a regular bariatric diet. The emphasis in this diet is on Protein. When eating, chew slowly and allow enough time for your meal, as you don't want to be rushed when eating. Remember to consume low-fat, high-protein foods to allow for an adequate amount of protein while keeping your calorie intake between 1000-1500 calories.

 

 

The recovery period for Lap-Band patients is usually quicker than the gastric bypass recovery period. Lap-Band patients may recover in as soon as 4-6 weeks, although it is still very important to transition through the diet phases patiently.

The amount of weight loss varies greatly between individuals, but the average gastric bypass patient loses about 5-15 pounds per week for the first couple of months, and then can expect to lose a pound or two per week. Just remember, if you're not willing to change your lifestyle and make healthy decisions, you can gain back all or more of the lost weight.

 

Side Notes

• Prepare for your post-op diet before you have your bariatric surgery
• Don't be shy about asking your surgeon or physician anything you aren't sure about
• Follow your post-op guidelines to avoid healing disruptions and severe stomach pain 
• While staying hydrated is very important, don't drink with a straw. It can cause air bubbles in the stomach
• Choose low-calorie drinks. You don't want to add calories that don't fill you up.
• Chew your food thoroughly to the consistency of mush
• Stop eating when you begin to feel full
• Protein will become the top priority of your diet and 60-80 grams a day is usually recommended