Q: How do I know if I’m a candidate for bariatric surgery?  
A: If you are more than 100 lbs. above your ideal weight or have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Your likelihood of becoming a bariatric surgery candidate is increased if you have other related health related illnesses or limitations because of excess weight.

Q: How do I decide whether surgery is right for me?
A: Talk to a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery. Your surgeon will help you make a decision based on your individual needs and lifestyle.

Q: What surgical options are available for obesity?
A:  Bariatric surgery options are dependent upon each individual’s health and needs. Some options include procedures that limit the amount of food a patient can eat, such as laparoscopic gastric banding or a vertical gastric sleeve. Other options include mal-absorptive procedures like the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or BPD-DS. Read more about these and other bariatric surgery procedures.

Q: How will I know which type of bariatric surgery to have, the adjustable gastric band, BPD-DS, vertical sleeve gastrectomy or the Roux-en-Y?
A: Your bariatric surgeon, a bariatric coordinator and other members of our team will meet with you to discuss all of your weight-loss surgical options and recommend the procedure that is best suited to your needs and overall health.

Q: Can these procedures be performed in a minimally invasive way?                                              
A:  Yes. At Elmbrook Memorial all bariatric surgeries can be performed using a minimally-invasive laparoscopic technique.

Q: What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?
A: Laparoscopic surgery means less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal activities. There are fewer complications when surgery is performed laparoscopically. At Elmbrook Memorial nearly all bariatric surgery patients have their surgery done laparoscopically.

Q: Do you offer robotic bariatric surgery?                                                         
A: Yes, Elmbrook Memorial has a da Vinci robotic system, and our bariatric surgeons routinely perform robotic bariatric procedures. Talk to your surgeon to determine if robotic assisted bariatric surgery is right for you.

Q: Will my insurance cover bariatric surgery?
A: Insurance company requirements and coverage vary for bariatric surgery. Ask your insurance company for details.

Q: How much does bariatric surgery cost?
A: Costs vary depending on the type of procedure and individual needs. In the long term, however, the personal and insured costs related to morbid obesity can far outweigh the cost of bariatric surgery. Your physician's office will discuss your options, expected costs and insurance coverage in advance of surgery being scheduled.

Q: Do I have to attend a bariatric seminar before surgery?
A: Yes. Bariatric surgery is not a choice you can make on impulse, and it's not a surgery we will perform without thorough education and consideration. For your safety and well-being, we want to make sure you have as many chances as possible to ask every question you can think of, and that you have received every bit of information you can. Seminars at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial are offered monthly, are free of charge and support persons are welcome. Register here.

Q: If I am from out of town, do I have to do all of my follow-up care at Elmbrook Memorial?
A: Your first check-up with your bariatric surgeon should be done at Elmbrook Memorial or the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin. After that, some exceptions may be possible. It is always best if your surgeon can see you in person, but when this is not possible, other arrangements may be made. Several hotels near Elmbrook Memorial offer discounts for our patients and families.

Q: If if my insurance company does not offer coverage for bariatric surgery is there another way I can pay for it??
A: Yes. Wheaton Franciscan - Elmbrook Memorial Campus and the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin offer a discounted self pay bariatric surgery package that includes the  pre-operative phase through the post operative phase and has BLIS insurance attached.

Q: I want to lose weight, but I'm not a candidate for bariatric surgery. Are there other options for me?
A: Yes. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare offers Medical Weight Management to anyone looking to lose weight. Throughout our system we have weight loss counselors, dieticians, physicians and other specialists who can give you one-on-one advice including nutrition, exercise, behavior, overall health, your attitude toward losing weight and more.  We suggest starting with your primary care physician.  If you don’t have a primary care physician, we can help! Our Find a Doctor section of this site offers written and – in some cases, video – profiles  of our physicians, many of whom have special interests in weight loss management.


Learn more about Wheaton Franciscan’s Bariatric Surgery Program. Request your FREE Bariatric CD today!.
Or call (262) 780-4078.