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Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
This article describes what is involved in bariatric weight loss, the medical insurance considerations and the ensuing costs.
Bariatric weight loss is weight loss obtained using surgical procedures. The word "Bariatric" derives from two Greek words: "baros," meaning weight, and "iatrike," meaning treatment. There are 2 types of bariatric surgery. One type, called retriction procedures, uses a gastric band to reduce the size of the stomach and so reduce food intake. The other type, called malabsorption procedures, actually impairs the food absorption process by bypassing the first segment of the small intestine in addition to making the stomach smaller.
Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is the least invasive technique and is used to fit gastric bands. This invloves surgery via a fibre-optic tube that is fed down into the abodomen. There is a tiny camera at the end that enables the surgeons to view the operation on a screen. Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is less prone to complications and involves less scarring than more invasive techniques. The gastric band can also be easily removed in this way once sufficient weight loss has been achieved.
Bariatric weight loss is expensive averaging around $25,000. Insurance companies may need to be convinced that such surgery will be money saving in the long run and life saving. Medicare covers bariatric weight loss for morbidly obese patients with an obesity related condition. Most insurance companies will require a doctors letter detailing the medical necessity for the procedure. If the insurance company deny funding then this can usually be appealed and most insurance companies insist this is done within 30 to 60 days after receiving a denial of coverage notice. The appeal letter should comprehensively counter the insurance company's reason for denial. As a last resort the serivces of an attorney will be needed to prove the medical case.
Medical costs don't end once the bariatric weight loss surgery is completed because patients tend to be left with loose, sagging skin that can no longer fit the new slimmer body shape. Plastic surgery is therefore necessary to remedy this. Constant monitoring and dietary adherence are also necessary for those who have undergone bariatric weight loss.
In summary, the path of bariatric weight loss surgery is not a straightforward one, although it's the only option for some people. This article has given you an idea of what to expect.
By John Kirkham
Bariatric weight loss is weight loss obtained using surgical procedures. The word "Bariatric" derives from two Greek words: "baros," meaning weight, and "iatrike," meaning treatment. There are 2 types of bariatric surgery. One type, called retriction procedures, uses a gastric band to reduce the size of the stomach and so reduce food intake. The other type, called malabsorption procedures, actually impairs the food absorption process by bypassing the first segment of the small intestine in addition to making the stomach smaller.
Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is the least invasive technique and is used to fit gastric bands. This invloves surgery via a fibre-optic tube that is fed down into the abodomen. There is a tiny camera at the end that enables the surgeons to view the operation on a screen. Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is less prone to complications and involves less scarring than more invasive techniques. The gastric band can also be easily removed in this way once sufficient weight loss has been achieved.
Bariatric weight loss is expensive averaging around $25,000. Insurance companies may need to be convinced that such surgery will be money saving in the long run and life saving. Medicare covers bariatric weight loss for morbidly obese patients with an obesity related condition. Most insurance companies will require a doctors letter detailing the medical necessity for the procedure. If the insurance company deny funding then this can usually be appealed and most insurance companies insist this is done within 30 to 60 days after receiving a denial of coverage notice. The appeal letter should comprehensively counter the insurance company's reason for denial. As a last resort the serivces of an attorney will be needed to prove the medical case.
Medical costs don't end once the bariatric weight loss surgery is completed because patients tend to be left with loose, sagging skin that can no longer fit the new slimmer body shape. Plastic surgery is therefore necessary to remedy this. Constant monitoring and dietary adherence are also necessary for those who have undergone bariatric weight loss.
In summary, the path of bariatric weight loss surgery is not a straightforward one, although it's the only option for some people. This article has given you an idea of what to expect.
By John Kirkham
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