1. Can I skip the lecture? If I’ve already researched the gastric bypass surgery or LAP-BAND® surgery, why do I need to go?
You are required to attend a lecture no matter how educated you are about the surgery. Lectures are a starting point for a programmatic approach to your care. In addition, the information presented at the lecture will assist you in completing the written exam. The lecture is given in three parts. The first session is usually presented by a patient/patients or one of our staff that have had the surgery. The second session is the medical information presented by one of the surgeons. General insurance questions may also be covered. All three sections give the audience an opportunity to ask questions which pertain to each. Of course, questions from other individuals may help make you more informed. We want our potential patients to be as educated as possible so they can be certain gastric bypass surgery is right for them.
2. I went to the lecture, what do I do now?
Read all the paperwork given to you at the lecture. It has been developed to
make sure clients understand each step. (a) After attending the lecture, and
after reading the protocol, take the written exam. (b) Fill out the history & physical
form in detail. (c) Take your lab request form and (d) your ultrasound (gallbladder)
request form to your primary care physician or to a lab that your insurance
group is contracted with, to have the labs complete them and the results sent
to Pacific Bariatric.
3. Can I have the laparoscopic procedure? What are the criteria?
The laparoscopic procedure is the approach our surgeons focus upon. There are
exceptions where it may not be feasible to perform the surgery in this manner,
but your surgeon will advise you if this is the case.
