Story by: Rebecca Hall on April 18, 2019
If you’re thinking about bariatric surgery to take control of your weight and your health, you probably have questions. Maybe you’re wondering what you need to do to prepare for surgery, what to expect during surgery, and what care you will receive after surgery.
We’ve got your answers. Here are eight steps on your journey to weight loss surgery with Norton Weight Management Services.
We encourage you to learn as much as possible about weight loss options. The more informed you are, the better your outcome will be. Weight loss surgery is currently approved for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or higher or a BMI of 30 to 39.9 kg/m2 with certain obesity-related medical conditions. For more information, visit NortonWeightManagement.com.
Let the board-certified specialists at Norton Weight Management Services guide you through your weight loss journey.
Learn more
We encourage you to attend a free informational seminar at Norton Health & Wellness Center, 1000 Dupont Road on the Norton Healthcare – St. Matthews campus. During the seminar, a member of the Norton Weight Management Services team will explain the steps in more detail, and a bariatric surgeon will provide information on surgical options, including adjustable gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, revisions and other surgeries. There also will be time for questions and answers. You can attend a seminar presented by any physician. Call (502) 629-1234, option 4, or (888) 4-U-NORTON (486-6786), option 4, to register for a seminar.
Complete the patient information packet and return it to Norton Health & Wellness Center. You may fax your packet to (502) 895-2675, drop it by our office or mail it to:
Norton Weight Management Services 1000 Dupont Road Louisville, KY 40207
Your completed packet should include:
Once your completed packet has been received, staff will verify insurance and review your medical records to ensure you are ready to proceed.
Once your information has been reviewed and your insurance verified, a member of the Norton Weight Management Services team will call you to schedule a time for you to come to the office for an assessment. A $300 nonrefundable fee is due at the time of service. The assessment will include meeting with a bariatric nurse, dietitian and mental health professional, and ongoing nutritional visits when needed.
After your assessment, you will be ready to meet with your surgeon. The surgeon will review your medical history, discuss the procedure and answer your questions. Depending on your medical history, you will need to complete a few tests to confirm your heart and lungs are healthy enough for surgery. Once all test results and information are received, the office will submit your information to your insurance company. Your surgery will be scheduled after approval is received from your insurance company.
Prior to your surgery, you will undergo a few final tests at the hospital a few weeks before your surgery. In addition, you will meet with a bariatric nurse and dietitian to make sure you are informed about your procedure, follow-up care, liver shrinking, and diet two weeks prior to surgery.
Surgeries are performed at Norton Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding patients typically spend one night in the hospital, then complete testing the following day to make sure they are ready to go home. Laparoscopic gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients typically spend two to four days in the hospital.
After your surgery, you will follow up with your physician. In addition, the Norton Weight Management Services team is always available for questions. We offer monthly support groups to help you as you adjust to new eating habits and the emotions you are experiencing. The surgery often is the easy part — now you must change your lifestyle! Just know we are here to help along your weight loss journey.
Select an appointment date and time from available spots listed below.