Pre-Bariatric Surgery Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program in Tampa Florida

A requirement of many insurance companies with policies that cover bariatric surgery is that patients demonstrate that they have participated in a medically supervised weight loss program for six months.  Surgical Bariatric Center provides a medically supervised weight loss program in our office to assist our Tampa, Brandon, and Lakeland patients meet this requirement. 

The pre-surgical medically supervised weight loss program for insurance patients has no program fees

At Surgical Bariatric Center, we try to make your journey to better health through weight loss as easy as we possibly can.  There are no hidden fees. We provide you with complete information about all program costs before you begin. Our office staff will handle all insurance issues associated with this program. All you have to contribute is your insurance co-pay. 

Goals of the Pre-Surgical Medical weight Loss Program

  • Successful participation in a medically supervised program.
  • To prepare you for the changes that you will go through both before and after surgery.
  • To obtain authorization for your surgery.
  • To minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

What to Expect During the Pre Surgical Medical Weight Loss Program

  • Nutritional Evaluation by a licensed dietician.
  • Medical Monitoring while on a reduced calorie and reduced fat diet.
  • Exercise Monitoring: All patients must participate in an increased physical activity regimen.
  • Monthly support group meetings given by a licensed psychologist. If a month is missed, you must start from the beginning with your 7 visits. These visits must be consecutive.
  • You may be prescribed appetite suppressants unless contraindicated by other medical conditions. You may purchase these at our office or from a pharmacy.

What to Expect After the Pre Surgical Medical Weight Loss Program

  • Your medical records will be assembled into a package and sent to your insurance company.
  • Your insurance company has 30 days to approve or deny your request.  If they request additional information, they will have 30 more days to review it after receipt of the information.

What to expect if you are approved for Lap Band surgery

  • After we receive your approval letter we will schedule a date for your surgery.
  • You will need to purchase a 2-3 week supply of OPTIFAST for your pre-surgical liquid diet.
  • The cost of the OPTIFAST is $100 per week.  The number of weeks that you will be required to be on this diet will be determined by Dr. Aguila