The Process Step by Step

At Baker Bariatrics, and the Unity Bariatric Center, the care of our patients is our highest priority. Taking that first step into health can often seem daunting. Weight loss surgery is life-changing in many ways. It is emotional, it is physical and it is psychological. Our highly trained Bariatric staff understands the complexity of these changes and we work with the patient, as a whole, to help to ensure the most successful result.

Our process begins with a free introductory meeting. Meetings are held every other Tuesday evening, every other Thursday afternoon and occasionally on Saturday mornings. Facilitated by Unity Hospital's program director, the patient will be given an overview of the process: Preparing for surgery, what to expect during surgery and post surgical care. Both the
Roux-en-Y procedure as well as the LapBand™. Other questions and answers will be discussed. The surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Baker, then will join the meeting to answer any additional questions for the group. The surgeons also stay following the meeting to answer questions that a patient might not want to ask publically. As the meeting is brought to a close, former patients join the group to answer questions and to share their weight loss stories as well. All in attendance will receive a packet of information to be filled out. Following the meeting, there will be staff available to set up appointments for those who wish to begin their weight loss journey.

The next step is for the patient to meet with a nurse clinician at the Bariatric Center. The nurse will go over the patients health information and provide the patient with a check list of what will be needed prior to surgery. Insurance requirements vary greatly but our nurse clinicians will make sure that you are on track with what is needed. This can include supervised weight and exercise programs, laboratory results, and weight history, just to name a few. Some patients will move through the process in 3 months, while others take 6 months or more. This is entirely dependent on the patient's insurance coverage.

Next is a psychological evaluation. This is required of everyone pursuing weight loss surgery in our Center of Excellence Program. A licensed psychologist will meet with the patients on three occasions to ensure that the patient is emotionally and psychologically prepared for this life-changing procedure.

The patient will meet with dietitians, exercise physiologists and their nurse clinician, as required for them to meet their insurance requirements as well as to best prepare for surgery. There will be additional teaching by the nurse clinicians specific to the weight loss procedure that the patient has selected. Once teaching and insurance requirements are met, the nurse clinician will forward the patients chart to Baker Bariatrics for insurance submission. Patients will then be scheduled for a consult with Dr. Jeffrey Baker.  Depending on insurance, this may occur prior to the insurance authorization or following that approval.

The patient/surgeon consult is an opportunity for patients to ask questions or to express concerns that they might have. The surgeon will go over the procedure in detail with the patient and the Baker Bariatric staff will walk the patient through what to expect on the day of surgery and to follow. The patient will be scheduled for surgery at this consult. Our surgeons prefer to schedule 2 - 3 weeks out, understanding that most patients want the surgery done "yesterday!"

On average, our patients are out of the hospital the day following their surgery. They will begin drinking small sips of water the day of their surgery as well as encouraged to be up and walking several hours after the surgery.

All patients are seen back in our offices for their one week post operative appointment. However, our surgeons can be reached by pager, 24/7. This pager number will be provided to you at your consult appointment.

Following surgery, the Roux en Y patient will be seen by their nurse clinician at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and then yearly following their surgery. Additionally, the surgeon will meet with the patient on an annual basis as well to follow patient care. The LapBand© patient will return to Baker Bariatrics six weeks following surgery for their first LapBand© fill and will continue to do so every four to six weeks until the right amount of saline has been identified. This varies from patient to patient but usually requires an average of 6 fills. However, we have had patients that are restricted with just the band, and never have required additional restriction.

Baker Bariatrics and Unity Bariatric Center is committed to the patient through each and every step of the way. We are pleased to provide our patients with the most comprehensive support and medical care available, with a complication rate of less than 0.5% (percent).

We invite you to join us. You have our commitment that we will provide you excellence in care from start to finish.

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