After the first appointment, how long will it take before I have surgery?
This depends on your insurance provider and the criteria they require, as well as the tests and requirements our team finds necessary.
What should I bring to my first appointment with the surgeon?
When you come to your first appointment, please bring the following information:
- Social security number
- Insurance card
- Any paperwork needed by your insurance carrier (managed care referral authorization, for example)
- Any past medical records
- A list of your current medications and supplements
- The name and contact information for your primary care doctor
If I am interested in weight loss surgery, what is my first step?
If you are interested in weight loss surgery, please call us at (646) 962-8462. We will help you make an appointment to see one of our surgeons for a consultation or speak with members of our team to learn more about our program and our weight loss surgery options.
Will my insurance cover the procedure?
Insurance coverage depends on your insurance plan. Unfortunately, some companies exclude bariatric surgery in their policies. Many companies will cover surgery, but require a patient to be in a supervised weight loss program for 6 months before undergoing surgery. Before you make an appointment with one of our surgeons, it is very important that you call your insurance company to find out if weight loss surgery is covered and what their requirements are.
Can I become pregnant after weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery has actually been linked with producing a positive change in fertility. Women with fertility problems linked to obesity may begin ovulating regularly for the first time in years post-bariatric surgery. However, women should avoid pregnancy for at least 18 months after surgery. Please discuss any pregnancy plans with your surgeon during one of your clinic appointments.
How much weight will I lose? Will the weight loss be quick?
The amount of weight you lose -- and how fast you lose it – varies dramatically from person to person and also depends on which weight loss procedure you have. Patients who have adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band®), vBloc®, or balloons (Obalon or Orbera) placed usually lose weight more slowly as compared to those who have gastric bypass (RYGB), Sleeve gastrectomy, or duodenal switch procedures (DS). In our program the average patient loses between 50 to 70 percent of his or her excess body weight after RYGB, 60 to 80 percent after DS, and more than 50 percent after vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Weight loss with gastric banding is less predictable. The amount of weight loss also depends on your age, gender, starting body mass index and your ability to adhere to the lifestyle changes necessary to make surgery a success.
What are the risks of weight loss surgery?
All major surgery comes with risks, and the risks are different for each patient. During your first appointment, your surgeon will discuss with you, one-on-one, your individual concerns based on your current and past health issues.
Is weight loss surgery right for everyone?
The short answer is no. Surgery is not appropriate for everyone. Because weight loss surgery is a life-altering procedure, we want to make sure our patients are knowledgeable, prepared and committed to making the lifestyle changes that will best predict long-term success.
How do I know if I am eligible for weight loss surgery?
Weill Cornell Medicine follows guidelines supported by the National Institutes of Health in order to determine a patient's eligibility for weight loss surgery. We also have to take into account the requirements of the patient’s insurance company if this is how surgery will be paid for. In general, individuals are candidates for surgery if their body mass index (BMI: a ratio of height to weight) is greater than 40 or between 35 and 40 with major obesity-related medical problems, e.g. diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea , etc.
The process begins with meeting one-on-one with your surgeon. Thereafter, you will meet with our, dietitians, psychologists, and members of our experienced support staff for a full evaluation.
Insurances Accepted
For relevant information regarding accepted insurances, please contact this provider directly.
About Chloe Anne Free, M.D.
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.
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