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!

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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.

If you have Cigna health insurance or are interested in learning more about insurance coverage for bariatric surgery The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

As of April 9, 2010, Aetna has changed its position on reimbursement for sleeve gastrectomy and will now cover the procedure. This coverage will be the same as other bariatric surgery procedures covered by Aetna. Per the official Aetna coverage policy, “Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal witch (DS), or laparoscopic silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria are met.” (Selection criteria are detailed in the policy-0157). This policy has the potential to impact over 18 million lives covered by Aetna.

If you have Aetna health insurance or are interested in learning more about insurance coverage for bariatric surgery The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana can help. Join us for a free seminar or take a weight loss quiz to help you get started.

Jeremy Poulton was one of the 17.6 percent. His weight problems started back when he was only 12 years old. He would frequently fall asleep in his fourth grade class causing his teachers and family much concern. And things only worsened each year. By age 19 he weighed 373 lbs and had several weight-related medical conditions: high cholesterol, sleep apnea and Type-2 diabetes. Jeremy knew he needed to take action.

When he learned about the effectiveness of laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, sometimes called Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, he realized there was hope. Jeremy pushed his mother to call for more information, researched his options and, with the help of The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, even fought his bariatric insurance denial.

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!

But perhaps the biggest change is the positive impact Jeremy’s surgery has had on his family. His mother, who suffered along with him while he struggled with childhood obesity, is thrilled to see her son in a healthier state. And Jeremy is happy his family won’t be worrying about him anymore.

Research shows that obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese adults. One study found that nearly 80% of children who were overweight at 10 to 15 years of age were obese at 25. Another study showed that obesity is more severe if one becomes obese before the age 8¹.

Not all adolescents will qualify for surgical weight loss. But if you or your child believe there is a medical necessity please visit WhyWeight.com to learn about weight loss options, read more weight loss success stories and sign up for a free seminar.

1. Source: CDC: “Childhood Overweight and Obesity.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood. Accessed Oct 16, 2009.

For many, health insurance will cover weight loss surgery.  But, despite the medical evidence correlating bariatric surgery and improved health, some health insurance programs still do not cover laparoscopic bariatric surgery, claiming that it is elective or cosmetic or both.  In these situations, patients often feel they have exhausted their options.  This is not the case!  You have many other choices.

For example, there are several national lenders who offer a broad range of financing options to patients who want to pay for their weight loss surgery procedure when insurance coverage is not available.  Some even choose to finance their co-pay.  The weight loss surgery financing section of our website lists our preferred providers.  These companies offer convenient payment options and low interest loans to those who qualify. You can also contact our Patient Advocates for more information.

In addition, you can check with your local bank about a personal loan.  Your bank will determine how much you may borrow and at what rate, as well as the terms of repayment.

Whether you are having gastric bypass, LAP-BAND, or one of our new incisionless procedures, we want to make your bariatric surgery as affordable as possible.  Surgical Specialists of Louisiana is committed to reasonable cash pay prices for those patients who do not have insurance coverage.

Weight loss surgery may be the best investment you every make.  We’re happy to guide you through the insurance maze or financing process and see you come out healthier and happier! Contact one of our Patient Advocates today to learn more.