Weight Loss Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery Program

If you are looking for Bariatric Surgery in Georgia, we have a team of comprehensive weight loss surgeons who are affiliated with Doctors Specialists - Bariatrics and Surgical. At Live Healthy MD, we connect you with bariatric surgeons who offer a full array of weight loss surgery options to provide the right solution for you. The surgeons and the team at Doctors Specialists - Bariatrics and Surgical are committed to continued learning and are at the top of their field in bariatric surgery.

As a Bariatric Center of Excellence, the surgeons at Doctors Specialists - Bariatrics and Surgical pride themselves on performing all weight loss surgery procedures and handling the most challenging and complex cases in the southeast. The surgeons are committed to providing their patients with the most up-to-date bariatric surgical care to help their patients achieve long-term and significant weight loss. They will be with you every step of the way. Once a patient, always a patient.

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What to Expect

We recommend bariatric patients attend one of the free educational seminars to learn more about their options before making the final decision to have weight loss surgery and commit to a long-term plan to lose weight. Once the patient has decided to move forward with surgery, they will be scheduled for an initial consultation. At this consultation, the patient will undergo a complete medical, nutritional, psychological, and exercise evaluation. Next, they must complete a set of predetermined steps put forth by the insurance companies before being cleared for coverage.

Bariatric Procedures

Gastric Bypass

The stomach is cut to a smaller size, and the intestines are rearranged.

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Duodenal Switch

A portion of the stomach is removed, intestines are rearranged, and the gallbladder is removed.

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Gastric Sleeve

A portion of the stomach is removed.

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Revision of Previous Weight Loss surgery procedure

Revision and Conversions

Conversion of previous bariatric surgery procedures to a different type of surgical option.

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Pathway to Bariatric Surgery

Step 1: Free Information Seminar

We urge all patients to attend a free informational seminar before scheduling an appointment. At the seminar, you will have a chance to meet the physician, learn about the benefits of weight loss surgery, and have all your questions answered. We offer seminars in Augusta, Dublin, and Macon in conjunction with our hospital partners. Attending a seminar is not required to begin the process.

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Step 2: Insurance Verification

After you attend the informational seminar or after you request your initial appointment, we will collect your insurance information and call your provider to find out more about your benefits. We will also go ahead and schedule you for an initial consultation. At your initial consult, your surgeon will discuss in detail your coverage and other payment options.

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Step 3: Initial Consult

At your initial consultation, you will attend a new patient class with other prospective patients. The class will is directed by your surgeon and will cover the basics of weight loss surgery. You will then get a chance to meet one-on-one with your surgeon to discuss your questions, concerns, and desired procedure. During the new patient class, you will also meet your patient navigator, who will discuss in detail the process of insurance approval, diagnostic testing, and surgery scheduling.

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Step 4: Preoperative Education

During your preoperative education, you will attend a wellness class where you will be given all the details about what to expect before, during, and after surgery as it relates to nutrition, mental health, and physical activity.

Step 5: Psychological Evaluation

We require all patients to obtain psychological clearance for bariatric surgery. The purpose of this step is to make sure you are ready to make a change in regards to your weight because surgery is not a quick fix, but requires a lifetime commitment. During this process, you will meet with our bariatric psychologist to discuss your history of weight gain and previous efforts to lose weight.

Step 6: Diagnostic Testing

Before surgery, you may be required to undergo diagnostic tests such as an EGD, have blood work drawn, or other tests performed to obtain medical, cardiac, or pulmonary clearance. Our physicians will perform an EGD and blood work. If you need medical clearances, your patient navigator will notify you and will assist in providing a referral for these clearances.

Step 7: Pre-Op Diet

Certain insurance providers will require patients to perform a 6-month, 3-month, or 6-week diet before surgery. If this is needed, our dietitian will assist in helping you get started. At Live Healthy MD, we require all patients to do a 2-week pre-op liquid diet. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the size of the liver for a safer and easier operation

Step 8: Surgery!

Once you have completed your required evaluations, all of your clearances, and your pre-op diet, you are now ready for surgery! However, the journey does not stop here. Weight loss surgery is a lifelong journey with continued effort.

Weight Loss Surgery