Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from my primary physician prior to calling the UW and making an initial appointment for consultation?

We ask that each patient have a primary physician who will be willing to follow him or her after the operation in cooperation with the surgeons at the University. You do not need to have a referral from your primary doctor, but should discuss surgery with him or her prior to your operation.
 

What information is required from me prior to an appointment for consultation?

We will send you a questionnaire asking for details regarding your general health, any prior operations, any medicines you are taking, and any allergies. We will also request your height and weight and a history of your attempts to lose weight in the past. We will also send to your doctor a questionnaire regarding some additional aspects of your medical history. This questionnaire will determine the degree of medical complications that you have, related to your weight, and will help us to determine the severity of your weight condition and therefore the relative urgency of your referral.
 

Will my insurance cover services rendered such as the initial surgical consult, diagnostic testing and potential surgery?

Some insurance plans do and some do not. Even two plans from the same insurance company may have different conditions depending on the contract that they have with you or your employer. It is always wise to check with your insurance company before a visit to determine what your plan covers and what it does not. We also ask you to send us a copy of your insurance plan coverage conditions so that we can help to determine the likelihood that your plan will cover the desired procedure. In the end, however, the determination is up to your insurance company.
 

What happens if my insurance plan covers bariatric surgery but I am denied by them?

We can help you file an appeal with your insurance company. In some cases, legal help may be available depending on the reason for denial. The Obesity Law and Advocacy Web site at may have additional resources in this situation. ObesityLaw.com is not affiliated with the University of Washington or with the surgeons at the UW.
 

What can I do if my insurance plan does not cover bariatric surgery?

Some patients will pay for their operation out of pocket, or take out loans to pay for surgery. Be aware that if you pay out of pocket for your operation, this does not generally cover any complications of surgery or long-term care beyond the initial post-operative recovery. There are finance plans available for bariatric surgery through third-party lenders, but not directly through the University of Washington. There are supplemental insurance plans available that cover the cost of any complications.
 

Where can I find more information on Weight Loss Surgery?

There are literally thousands of web sites that discuss weight loss surgery. Some of these sites are biased, and may contain incorrect or out-of-date information. While it is impossible for us to evaluate all of these websites, we have collected links to some of the more up-to-date and accurate sites. Go to our list of links for information about Weight Loss Surgery.

When you register for your first appointment at the University of Washington you will be sent a patient handbook with much more information about Weight Loss Surgery and your pre- and post-operative care.
 

Do I need to undergo Psychiatric Evaluation before being considered for gastric bypass surgery?

There are significant mental stresses associated with obesity and with the major life changes that follow Weight Loss Surgery. We ask that all of our patients visit with one of our social workers prior to surgery. If the social worker believes that you would benefit from a psychiatric consultation before an operation we will help you to arrange this. Psychiatric illness is not itself a reason not to have Weight Loss Surgery, but we want to make sure that you have the appropriate resources and care in place before surgery.
 

What are co-morbidities and how do these affect my possible gastric bypass surgery?

Co-morbidities refer to medical conditions or complications that may be due to your excess weight or may affect the manner in which you should be managed at the time of an operation. These might include heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and more.

It is rare for a comorbidity to prevent a bariatric operation, but it may change some aspects of your care before, during, or after your operation. Many co-morbidities improve with weight loss.
 

Do I need to join a weight loss program prior to being considered for gastric bypass surgery?

Our program does not require specific weight loss programs to be completed before surgery, but some insurance programs have this requirement. Please check with your insurance plan for its guidelines.
 

What types of tests (work-up) do I need to do prior to having gastric bypass surgery?

All patients will need routine blood tests, consultations with our dietician and social worker, and other tests indicated by your own medical history and exam. Depending on your past history and your operation you may also need pulmonary function tests (tests of breathing, the size or your lungs and how fast you breathe in and out combined with a blood test to determine the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood), a stomach x-ray, and/or a gallbladder ultrasound test (if you still have a gallbladder).
 

Will the UWMC see gastric bypass surgery patients for second opinion?

Yes. If you only need a second opinion in order to get insurance approval for the procedure at ANOTHER institution then you should let us know that.

Can I have this operation laparoscopically?

Laparoscopic refers to performing the same operation with the use of scopes and video cameras and very small incisions in the abdomen. The first and most common type of laparoscopic operation is removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). Many patients, but not all, can have this operation done with a laparoscope. Your surgeon will tell you if you are suitable for this approach.
 

Do you see patients you have been banded at another hospital or in another country?

It is difficult to care for patients who have had their surgery at another hospital or in another country, as we cannot know how the band was placed or if it was placed correctly. In general we do not see patients banded elsewhere for routine follow-up and band-fills. Please call our coordinator to discuss the specifics of your situation.

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reviewed 01/07