Patients who are considering gastric bypass surgery must undergo a rigorous review process before being approved for the procedure. The first step is for patients to attend a mandatory two-hour seminar about the surgery.
Patients learn about the lifetime follow-up care that’s involved, and they sign a contract agreeing to do what it takes after the surgery in terms of diet, exercise, and vitamin supplements.
The basic requirements patients must meet include:
Must be between ages 18 to 60
Must have co-morbidities under control
Must be committed to lifestyle change and have a support system
Must be class 3 obesity or higher (BMI of 40 or above)
All patients undergo a minimum of a psychiatric evaluation, in part to screen for eating disorders that will not be resolved by gastric bypass surgery.
Most patients also undergo cardiac testing. Other evaluations are specific to each patient. For example, patients 50 and older who have not had a colonoscopy for cancer screening have this done prior to surgery. Patients who have gastric reflux are also evaluated for that condition.
The Motivated Patient
Patient motivation is a key factor because having gastric bypass surgery is a major, lifelong change. The surgery is irreversible, and it takes commitment to adapt to a new lifestyle.
Screening Process for Gastric Bypass
Information patients must provide includes:
Why they want to have the procedure
How educated they are about the surgery
What weight loss programs they have tried
Whether they are exercising now
Whether they have a family history of obesity
What kind of support system they will have at home after the surgery
Additional screening components include:
Lab studies
Nutritional screening
Physical evaluation
Psychiatric evaluation
Other studies determined by health history
Attend a Seminar
The first step for patients considering surgery is to attend a mandatory two-hour seminar, "Surgical Options for the Obese Patient." The seminar is hosted monthly by Grand Traverse Surgery, PC at Munson Medical Center and provides information about each option. Patients also learn about the lifetime follow-up care involved.
There is a $25 fee for the seminar, and pre-registration is required.
To register or to receive more information, call Grand Traverse Surgery at (231) 935-8900.
For a listing of seminar dates
or
to register online:
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
Patients who are considering gastric bypass surgery must undergo a rigorous review process before being approved for the procedure. The first step is for patients to attend a mandatory two-hour seminar about the surgery. 