Our most commonly performed bariatric surgeries include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Visit our blog to learn more about all types of surgery.

Proper candidate selection for bariatric surgery involves a thorough evaluation of an individual's health status, medical history, and their ability to follow the lifestyle changes required post-surgery. Health considerations are extensive and typically include an assessment of obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, among others. The health criteria often involve a certain body mass index (BMI) threshold (30 or higher) and may also consider the patient's age and overall risk profile. These criteria ensure the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks and the patient is capable of undergoing the procedure both physically and psychologically.

Every patient is unique. The decision for which surgery is best for you should be personalized. Dr. Bailey will help reach this decision with you based on your weight, health goals, and medical history.

The pre-surgery evaluation process typically includes a series of medical tests and consultations to assess the patient's overall health and readiness for surgery. These may include blood tests, heart and lung evaluations, nutritional and psychological assessments, and discussions about the risks and benefits of the procedure. Once a patient is deemed eligible, they are advised to follow specific pre-operative instructions, which may involve dietary changes, medication adjustments, and lifestyle preparations to ensure optimal conditions for surgery and recovery. Visit our blog for more details.

Sometimes the bariatric workup process can take a few months. We encourage patients to use this time constructively and practice making the changes to eat the way they would after surgery to build better habits and ease into the changes required for long-term success. This also helps with weight loss before surgery, which is a great indicator of success after surgery.

Before surgery, patients will be on a carbohydrate and fat restricted diet to help shrink the liver and make surgery safer. Two days before their surgery, patients will be on a liquid diet to make sure the stomach is completely empty before the operation. After surgery, it takes a while for the stomach to be ready for normal food. Patients start on a clear liquid diet and advance to regular consistency food over the course of one month.

The cost of the procedure depends on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient is using insurance to pay for the procedure. For questions about the cost of surgery and insurance coverage, please contact our office at 904-296-4141.

Most major insurances have bariatric coverage or general surgery coverage, but this can vary depending on your specific plan. We are happy to check your insurance for coverage for you or help you to find a plan with coverage if needed. Please visit our Patient Resources page for more information on insurance coverage.

Every recovery is different for each surgery. However, using minimally invasive robotic or laparoscopic techniques have the advantage of being able to perform the same surgery through smaller incisions and with less trauma to your tissues. This means you are back home earlier, back to work, and on track to a healthier you sooner. Visit the blog to learn more about preparation for surgery.

Patients will typically lose 20-30 pounds in the first month after surgery. We expect weight loss to slow over time, but weight loss typically continues between one and a half to two years after surgery. Much of the weight loss course will depend on your starting weight and consistency with the recommended diet and exercise. Individual results will vary.

One of the best parts of performing bariatric surgery is getting to see patients afterwards and hear their success stories. Unlike many other programs, we follow our patients after surgery indefinitely to ensure they are doing well. The highest risk factor for weight regain is not following up with a bariatric surgeon after surgery. In addition to meeting with Dr. Bailey, we will also check your lab work at routine intervals to ensure no deficiencies need to be corrected. We offer support groups and counseling with dieticians as well.

Check out our Patient Resources page for blog posts on related topics. For more information on bariatric surgeries, you can also visit the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery website for patients: https://asmbs.org/for-patients/