You have done your research on gastric bypass surgery, and determined whether your insurance carrier will pay for the procedure. You have the CPT/ICD-9 codes memorized, and you’re on a first-name basis with the member services rep at the insurance company. You have prepared the documentation required by your carrier, and the big day is finally here: It’s time to submit all this information with a request for pre-approval of your gastric bypass procedure.

Increase Your Chances of Insurance SuccessThe checklist below can help you ensure you have obtained everything needed to increase your chances of securing preauthorizing for weight loss surgery from your insurance carrier:1. A letter of medical necessity from your primary care physician or a medical specialist recommending you for weight loss surgery2. Doctor’s records of office visits documenting your history of obesity (this should include documentation supporting The National Institute of Health guidelines of severe and morbid obesity)3. A well-documented list of any serious health issues, such as hypertension or diabetes, considered a direct result of severe or morbid obesity4. A detailed list of any doctor-prescribed medications for weight loss5. Supporting documents pertaining to any medically-supervised diet programs6. Evaluation records and clearance if under the care of a mental health specialist or if taking psychotherapeutic medication, such as anti-depressants7. Records of any tests requested by your insurance company and their results

In extensive gastric bypass – a more complicated gastric bypass operation – the lower portion of the stomach is removed. The small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine, thus completely bypassing both the duodenum and jejunum. Although this procedure successfully promotes weight loss, it is not as widely used because of the high risk for nutritional deficiencies.Gastric bypass operations that cause malabsorption and restrict food intake produce more weight loss than restriction operations, which only decrease food intake. People who have bypass operations generally lose two-thirds of their excess weight within 2 years.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: A Roux en-Y gastric bypass performed laparoscopically. Even though this operation takes slightly longer than the standard Roux en- Y, the recovery time is shorter.

Gastric bypass operations also may cause “dumping syndrome,” whereby stomach contents move too rapidly through the small intestine. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and, occasionally, diarrhea after eating, as well as the inability to eat sweets without becoming extremely weak. Gallstones can occur in response to rapid weight loss. They can be dissolved with medication taken after the surgery.

Gastric bypass is not an operation for everyone who is obese, as it is a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects that can require permanent alterations to one’s lifestyle. However the contented customers are numerous – including many figure-conscious celebrities.

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