Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy
For many of our patients, the most important benefit of the gastric sleeve is that they not only begin losing weight right away, but their health can improve dramatically right after surgery. Weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, can be significantly improved or even resolved in as little as one week after the procedure.
There are also several other benefits that the gastric sleeve provides to patients:
• Fewer incisions are made (only three) – one in the naval, and two poke holes the size of a pencil.
• At approximately 35 minutes, the procedure is quicker than gastric bypass or banding.
• It requires no intestinal re-routing, which makes for a less-complicated procedure and results in quicker recovery.
Insurance & Cost
Most insurance carriers that cover bariatric surgery now cover the gastric sleeve procedure, and more insurance carriers are expected to begin covering it in the future. Gastric sleeve is also more affordable than traditional gastric bypass (it costs about the same as gastric banding). Take advantage of our free insurance verification to see if you qualify.
For those interested in self-pay, The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana provide the added benefit of one year’s worth of post-op complication coverage included in our affordable cash price.
Real Success Story
Deke Bellavia, whom you might know as the co-host of SportsTalk and the “Countdown to Kick-Off” on WWL Radio, the New Orleans Saints Radio Network, was type 2 diabetic and had high blood pressure. Deke knew he needed to lose weight in order to get his health back in check. His blood sugar was something he needed to get under control quickly, so after evaluating the options Deke chose the sleeve gastrectomy. His decision was easy – Deke heard SSL is the best weight loss surgery program in the country and he was very pleased with the process they have developed to prepare patients for surgery.
Since his surgery 2 years ago, Deke lost 128 lbs and stopped taking all his diabetes and blood pressure medications. He says: “SSL have changed my life. They really helped me take control of my health and my life. I can take on and do more work; I don’t need as much sleep but feel great. To sum it all up, I am able to do a lot more with my life than ever before.”
If you are interested in learning more about the sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic weight loss surgery, please contact the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at 1-877-691-3001 or visit them at www.whyweight.com.
About the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana at WhyWeight.com
The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is committed to helping you lose weight and obtain a healthy lifestyle. Our nutritionists are available for one-on-one consultations. Whether you need to lose 15, 50 or 150 pounds, SSL can help you. Our medically supervised weight loss program, MyWeight, combines nutrition therapy, physical activity and physician prescribed medication, if necessary. Our minimally invasive weight loss surgery procedure options, including gastric banding, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and the duodenal switch, are for those who need to lose 50 or more pounds. The new POSE procedure is incisionless and is for patients who want to lose up to 50 pounds. Schedule your free weight-loss surgery seminar today to learn more!
As of May 15, 2010 Cigna has changed its position of reimbursement for sleeve gastrectomy and will now cover the procedure. The coverage will This coverage will be the same as other bariatric surgery procedures covered by Cigna. Per the official Cigna coverage policy, “When the specific medical necessity critera for bariatric surgery have been met, Cigna covers ANY of the following open or laparoscopic bariatric surgery procedures: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable silicone gastric banding (e.g. LAP-BAND®, REALIZE™), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD?DS) for individuals with a BMI (Body Mass Index) > 50, sleeve gastrectomy (GS) and vertical banded gastroplasty. This policy has the potential to impact over 10 million lives covered by Cigna.
Adolescent obesity is getting a lot of attention these days. And rightly so! The NHANES surveys show that the prevalence of obesity for those aged 12 to 19 has increased from 5% to 17.6% over the past three years1.
Since the surgery, Poulton has lost over 105 pounds. But his weight isn’t the only thing that’s changed. His confidence has skyrocketed. He’s more outgoing; more willing to talk and socialize. He’s going to the prom. He’s flying comfortably in airplanes. He even made the tennis team only two weeks after weight loss surgery!
Despite the benefits of losing weight, some people worry about 
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