Bariatric Surgery Nutrition Counseling.
If you are having bariatric surgery, your insurance company will most likely recommend a nutrition medical bariatric surgery evaluation to be approved for the procedure.
We have extensive experience performing nutrition medical bariatric surgery evaluations as most of our licensed dietitian nutritionists have experience working in medical weight loss surgery centers developing nutrition programs, seeing patients, and running weight loss surgery groups. We will also make sure our evaluations comply too your insurance company requirements and that your surgery office receives the evaluations in a timely manner. After surgery, we recommend bariatric surgery nutrition sessions to help you stay on the right track for long-term success.
The most common types of weight-loss surgeries we work with include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric band.
Gastric Bypass
Known to medical professionals as Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, this type of surgery has proven to be an effective and reliable method for weight loss in the majority of bariatric surgery cases. A small pouch is formed from your stomach while the rest of it is separated from your esophagus and small intestine. This pouch is then connected to the small intestine to allow food to pass through. This limits the quantity of food the patient can consume at any one time and limits how much time they have to digest it. This process also causes hormonal changes that reduce hunger and improves satiety. Its primary drawbacks are its complexity, the possibility of vitamin and mineral deficiencies over the long term, and the extended hospital stay following the procedure.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
This form of bariatric surgery is performed via a minimally invasive process known as Laparoscopic surgery. Through small incisions in your abdomen, as much as 80% of your stomach is removed, leaving only a banana-shaped tubular pouch. It has the same general benefits as gastric bypass, but weight loss results aren’t quite as high. The hospital stay is shorter, but unlike the gastric bypass, this procedure cannot be reversed. Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies are not a prevalent as the by-pass, but vitamin and mineral status should still be monitored at least yearly or as recommended by your weight loss surgeon.
Adjustable Gastric Band
This procedure is the easiest to reverse and involves the least complex surgery. An inflatable bag is fitted around the top of the stomach that can be inflated and deflated easily. This procedure induces a feeling of fullness and satisfaction without restricting the flow of food. It is fully reversible and has shown itself to be the safest of bariatric treatments, demonstrating fewer complications after surgery than the other treatments.
How do I get started with nutrition counseling?
Contact us and our receptionist will schedule you with one of our licensed dietitian nutritionists for an initial 50-minute appointment at one of our office locations or virtually through our HIPPA compliant telehealth system or over the telephone.
All of our licensed dietitian nutritionists are in-network with United, BCBS, and Aetna. Most insurance companies now offer nutrition benefits. If you have insurance benefits for nutrition and you have met your deductible you only need to pay your co-pay at the time of session if you have one. For more information about your insurance benefits please visit our insurance and billing page.
What to expect:
At your initial 55 minute nutrition counseling session visit your licensed dietitian nutritionist will evaluate your condition(s), develop an appropriate treatment plan and may recommend 25 – 55 minute follow–up nutrition counseling sessions. Your licensed dietitian nutritionist may also recommend nutrition testing or refer to other medical professionals for further evaluation. If you are interested in metabolism testing please let the receptionist know when you schedule your nutrition session, and your licensed dietitian nutritionist know at the start of your visit and your metabolism can be measured at your appointment. If weight loss is a goal your licensed dietitian nutritionist will also recommend the right amount of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fat and other nutrients necessary for you to achieve your weight and health goals, show you how to use our preferred food tracking software, and may recommend one of our weight loss programs and/or weight loss coaching. (please link the red to the appropriate places on the website)
Insurance coverage and rates
Contact us and our receptionist will schedule you with one of our licensed dietitian nutritionists for an initial 50 minute appointment at one of our office locations or virtually through our HIPPA compliant telehealth system or over the telephone.
All of our licensed dietitian nutritionists are in-network with United, BCBS, and Aetna. Most insurance companies now offer nutrition benefits. If you have insurance benefits for nutrition and you have met your deductible you only need to pay your co-pay at the time of session if you have one. For more information about your insurance benefits please visit our insurance and billing page.
Self-Pay Rates for Nutrition Counseling
55 minute initial nutrition counseling session ………………$200
25 minute follow-up nutrition counseling session…………………..$100
How do I get started?
Contact us and our receptionist will ask you to fill out our insurance verification form and schedule you with one of our licensed dietitian nutritionists for an initial 55-minute session at one of our office locations or virtually through our HIPPA compliant telehealth system or over the telephone