There are several aspects to consider when choosing a bariatric program. The most important factor for any medical or surgical program is safety. Each patient should feel they are prepared before, during and after surgery to be successful. The bariatric program you choose should have several features and benefits to equip you with the tools to be successful. It is important to understand you are not having a surgical procedure, but joining a bariatric program for lifelong follow-up.
Here are five questions you should ask any bariatric program before you begin your journey.
• Is your program a MBSAQIP comprehensive center of excellence?
This question is critical because it indicates if the program you are joining meets the minimum safety standards as a comprehensive program. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery created the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), an accreditation program for bariatric surgery centers in the United States and Canada that successfully complete a thorough evaluation in accordance with nationally-recognized bariatric surgical standards.
MBSAQIP promotes safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation process. A bariatric surgical center achieves accreditation by maintaining certain physical resources, human resources and standards of practice. All accredited centers report their outcomes to the MBSAQIP database and are subject to on-site visits to maintain their accreditation.
• Does your bariatric program offer free insurance verification and seminar?
You will want to verify your insurance benefits and listen to the program’s seminar prior to your initial consult. There are several insurance plans that do not have bariatric surgery as a covered benefit. It will be important to know the financial obligations and insurance requirements prior to joining the program. The seminar will help you make an informed decision about the surgery, as well as the culture and the people you will be working with throughout your journey.
• How does your bariatric program prepare patients for bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a tool that can be used to reduce comorbid conditions. A qualified program will have a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, dietitians, exercise specialists, psychologists, surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists and other professionals to equip you with the knowledge to be successful after surgery. Be very careful of programs or surgery outlets that do not have an extensive pre-operative education program. Many times, this education and safety process will take four to six months prior to surgery. It will be important to use this time to educate and prepare you for this life-changing surgery.
A qualified program will also have bariatric navigators to assist you through the process. The navigator will be a single point of contact to help assist you in scheduling appointments and making sure all of your insurance requirements are met. Navigating all the appointments and stipulations for insurance can be difficult and it’s important to have a person on the inside that can assist you with your schedule.
• How does your bariatric program continue to support patients after surgery?
This is the one question most patients forget to ask but will be the most critical to your long-term success. The surgery, combined with hard work and education from your multi-disciplinary team, will be critical to your success. Each qualified program should have long-term follow-up plans designed for you. This program will consist of regular follow-up with the bariatric clinic and dietitian. Each MBSAQIP center of excellence will have regular support groups and other bariatric community events to keep patients connected, accountable and engaged in the program.
Many programs will also have post-op navigators to assist you with coordinating your post-op appointments, classes and other follow-up. An extensive post-op program is what really separates the good programs from the great programs.
• What do I have to buy to be in your program?
This question speaks to the program’s philosophy and education. Many programs will require you to purchase protein powders, shakes, vitamins and other items directly from the program. These products obviously generate revenue for the program. It will be important to be cautious of these programs because the dietary education can be directed at purchasing their products instead of the overall nutrition education you need. You want to be part of a program that is focused on your long-term safety and education, not on selling their products.
Other things to consider:
There are other great questions to ask, but these five will give you a starting point when contemplating which bariatric program to choose. Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of obesity. This specialty requires a specific set of skills to connect with this patient population. It will be important you feel like you can trust the multi-disciplinary team and they have taken the time to understand your story. This is a life-changing journey, and you need to have confidence in your team. If you suffer from the disease of morbid obesity, then we would encourage you to start the process of asking questions and inquiring about how you can receive the treatment you need.
If you’re interested in learning more about bariatric surgery, sign up for a seminar.