Sooner or later, it becomes clear to anyone struggling with obesity that a life-change is required. This usually occurs after years of countless attempts at diet and exercise have failed, coupled with the life-threatening, weight-related problems like high blood pressure, chronic joint pain, diabetes, and others.
Once patients have made a firm decision to lead a healthier lifestyle, and meet certain medical guidelines and qualifications, Dr. Adkins explains the various surgical weight loss surgical options and long-term care plans best suited for each patient. The type of surgery Dr. Adkins recommends for you will take many factors into account, including body mass index, eating habits, other health issues, previous surgeries and the risks involved with each procedure.
Dr. Adkins will recommend and help you choose
Among one of the following most common weight-loss surgical options
Typically performed laproscopically, which means this procedure involves Dr. Adkins inserting small instruments with a camera attached through multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen. During sleeve gastrectomy, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana. This procedure obviously restricts the amounts of food you are able to consume, and curbs appetite changes by the removal of hunger cells that assist with weight loss.
Involves Dr. Adkins creating a small egg-shaped pouch from the stomach and connecting the newly created pouch directly to the small intestine. After gastric bypass, swallowed food will go into this small pouch of stomach and then directly into the small intestine, thereby bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine.
This is a less-common but effective procedure usually reserved for patients with a significantly high BMI greater than 70. A BPD/DS begins with a Sleeve Gastroectomy as explained above but also bypasses 80% of the small intestine.
Before and After Your Procedure
If you qualify for weight loss surgery, Dr. Adkins and his team will give you instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. You may need to have various lab tests and exams before surgery, and you may likely have restrictions on eating and drinking and which medications you can take.
All of Dr. Adkins procedures are performed in a hospital or surgical center using general anesthesia to put you to sleep to avoid discomfort. After surgery, you awaken in a recovery room, where you are carefully monitored by a medical staff. Depending on your procedure, you may need to stay a few days in the hospital.
You will not be allowed to eat for 1 to 2 days so that your stomach and digestive system can heal. Then, you’ll follow a specific diet for a few weeks that begins with liquids only, then progresses to pureed and very soft foods and eventually to more firm, regular foods. You will have restrictions or limits on how much and what you can eat and drink.
You will also have medical checkups at certain intervals to monitor your health in the first several months after weight-loss surgery, along with lab/blood work testing, etc.
As Dr. Adkins emphasizes to all of his patients, the success of your weight loss surgical journey depends upon your commitment to living a healthy lifestyle by carefully following his recommendations - before and after surgery. Countless Adkins Center patients have successfully discovered how to look, live, and feel, free from the burdens of obesity.
Billing, Payments, Insurance
The Adkins Center accepts many kinds of major health insurance. Check with your health insurance plan to find out if your policy covers such surgery.
For patients whose insurance may not cover bariatric surgery, the Adkins Center has a very attractive cash payment option for procedures that can put you on the road to weight loss success quickly and affordably.
For questions regarding billing, payments and/or insurance, please contact our office: 601-982-3202
