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FREE eBook for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

FREE eBook for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

eBook for Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric Surgery Source’s free eBook for weight loss surgery patients is a condensed version of the Bariatric Surgery Source website 700+ pages of surgeon-reviewed research. It contains only the most essential information you need to know in order to succeed before and after weight loss surgery.

Click here to start reading or scroll down for helpful tips on how to use the eBook.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Click on any of the topics below to jump directly to that section

  1. Tips For Using The E-Book
  2. About The Free eBook
  3. Frequently Asked Questions
  4. Patient Experience and Expert Advice
  5. Find a Weight Loss Surgeon
01.

Tips For Using The E-Book

SECTION SUMMARY:

  • 6 Top Tips

Following are some important navigation tips to help you get the most out of our free eBook for weight loss surgery patients…

  • Access this eBook anywhere, from any platform– PC, laptop, tablet or smart phone
  • Reading options – You can read this from start to finish like a regular book or you can jump around to only the sections that interest you
  • Blue text is clickable – click the blue text to access information outside of the eBook or to jump around to different sections of the book
  • Table of Contents – Use the Table of Contents to jump to your section of interest
  • Navigation/Reading Options in the Bottom & Top Menus – When reading, click the buttons above and below the free eBook for weight loss surgery patients (button locations depend on which device you are using) to…
    • Access Table of Contents
    • Open Thumbnail View (see all pages as thumbnail images)
    • Bookmark a page and take notes for later reference
    • Share information via social media
    • Search the eBook for a keyword or phrase
    • Switch to full screen view (press your Esc key to exit full screen view)
    • Zoom in or out (for smartphone or tablet users, this can be done by pinching your screen)
  • Want more information about any topic in this eBook for weight loss surgery patients? Chances are, the Bariatric Surgery Source website (this website) has what you’re looking for. We have well over 700 pages of published research and patient/surgeon Questions and Answers available, completely free of charge. Click the Bariatric Surgery Source link at the top or bottom of any page in the book to visit us online.

Finally, please click here to let us know what you think of this guide we created this eBook completely free of charge for you, the prospective or current weight loss surgery patient, and your feedback is very important to us. Please help us make it better!

02.

About The Free eBook

SECTION SUMMARY:

  • Condensed Version of the Entire Website

Bariatric Surgery Source (this website) is the most comprehensive educational resource for weight loss surgery (WLS) patients on the Internet. We help prospective patients determine whether surgery is a good option, find the right surgical team and set, achieve and maintain specific and realistic health and weight loss goals.

We understand that you are making or have already made a serious, life-changing decision. To succeed, you need thorough and accurate information that applies to your situation. Through the guidance of our Advisory Council of top practicing surgeons and bariatric professionals, Bariatric Surgery Source – and this eBook for weight loss surgery patients – will provide you with the most extensively researched, unbiased and up-to-date information and recommendations relating to every aspect of obesity and bariatric surgery.

The Bariatric Surgery Patient Essential Guidebook is a condensed version of the Bariatric Surgery Source website 700+ pages of published research. It contains only the most essential information you need to know in order to succeed before and after weight loss surgery, including:

  1. Qualifying for Surgery
  2. What to (Realistically) Expect from Surgery (including Weight Loss, Health Improvement, Official Statements from Trusted Organizations, Risks & Complications & Challenges
  3. Established Bariatric Surgery Procedures (Your Main Surgical Options including Gastric Bypass, Gastric Banding (Lap Band), Duodenal Switch, Gastric Sleeve & a Summary Comparison of the 4 Established Procedures
  4. Financial Considerations (including Cost by Procedure, Insurance, Financing Options, Discounts, Savings Opportunities & Other Financial Considerations)
  5. How to Find & Choose a Surgeon
  6. Preparing for Surgery Day (including checklists for 3 to 6 Months Out,
  7. 2 Weeks Out & Your Hospital Stay)
  8. What to Expect During Your Hospital Stay
  9. Recovering from Surgery (including Diet, Healing, Short-Term Difficulties & Side-Effects)
  10. Life After Surgery (including Weight & Health, Diet, Exercise, Support Groups, Relationships, Plastic Surgery (to Remove Excess Skin) & Weight Regain

Our eBook for weight loss surgery patients will be continually updated as new research and information becomes available.

Click here to start reading now.

03.

Frequently Asked Questions

SECTION SUMMARY:

  • Answers for all platforms

You have a few options depending on the type of device you are using…

  • PC (requires Adobe flash player):
  • Mac – While iPhones and iPads are supported (see below), Macs currently are not.
  • iOs (e.g. iPhone, iPad, etc)
    • Tap in the middle of the online version of the eBook
    • In the bottom menu that pops up, click the “Share” arrow in the middle
    • Click “Open in FlippingBook Reader” (you’ll need to download the FlippingBook App)
  • Android (e.g. Samsung Galaxy, etc.)
04.

Patient Experience and Expert Advice

SECTION SUMMARY:

  • Patient Experiences
  • Ask the expert

If you still have questions about blood clot symptoms, our experts are happy to answer them. We (and other patients) would also love to hear about your experiences.

Please use the form below to share your experience or ask a question.

Close Help

Entering your question or experiences is easy to do. Just type!… Your comments and questions will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph.

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Do you have some pictures or graphics to add? Great! Click the button and find the first one on your computer. Select it and click on the button to choose it. Then click on the link if you want to upload up to 3 more images.

 

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05.

Find a Weight Loss Surgeon

SECTION SUMMARY:

  • Ask for a free insurance check or cost quote
  • Register to attend a free seminar or webinar
  • Schedule a phone or in-person consultation (both often free)
TOOLS
FIND A SURGEON
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DO YOU QUALIFY?
CHECK MY INSURANCE
WEIGHT LOSS ESTIMATOR
COST COMPARE
Apply for Loan (Ad)
Tax
Write-Offs
RECOVERY TIMELINES
PROCEDURE SUMMARIES
COMPARE PROCEDURES
Best Procedure Quiz
HEALTH BENEFITS

Find a Bariatric Surgeon

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Find a Bariatric Surgeon

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

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Do You Qualify for a Bariatric Procedure?

Patients who qualify for bariatric surgery usually:

  • Are at least 80 lbs (36 kg) overweight
  • Are between 18 and 75 years old
  • Have a history of failed weight loss attempts (e.g., failed diets)
  • Thoroughly understand that the procedure is just a tool; long-term success requires significant diet and lifestyle changes

The minimum bariatric surgery qualifications include:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
  • OR a BMI between 30 and 39.9 with a serious obesity-related health problem like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint problems, or others
  • OR a BMI of 30 to 40 with or without health issues for the gastric balloon procedure

To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight into the tool, then click the “Calculate BMI” button.

Click here to learn more
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Check My Insurance Tool

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Check My Insurance Tool

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Check My Insurance Tool

Bariatric surgery insurance coverage varies by insurance policy:

Individual/Family Plans & Small Group Plans – Coverage varies by state; coverage is required by the Affordable Care Act in some states

Large Group Plans – Coverage depends on whether your employer has chosen to add it to your policy

Medicare and Medicaid – Bariatric surgery is covered

If your policy covers it and you meet the qualification requirements, your plan will likely include 4 procedures:

  • Gastric sleeve
  • Gastric bypass
  • LAP-BAND®
  • Duodenal switch

Your surgeon may be able to get partial coverage for the other procedures.

Use the tool to find out if your insurance covers bariatric surgery.

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Estimator Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Estimator Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Calculator

You will start losing weight fast after any bariatric surgery procedure, but the total amount lost varies based on:

  • The procedure you choose
  • How closely you follow your doctor’s instructions

Enter your information into the tool to get an idea about how much weight you’ll lose after each procedure.

Click here to learn more

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Cost Compare Tool

Your out-of-pocket bariatric surgery cost can range anywhere from $0 to $20,000 or more depending on several factors, including:

Whether your insurance covers it – many insurances (including Medicare, Medicaid, and many individual/family and employer-provided policies) cover the majority of costs for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, LAP-BAND®, and duodenal switch. The other types of bariatric surgery are less likely to be covered, although you may be able to get insurance to pay for some of the costs. Tap the “With Insurance” button in the tool to see average out-of-pocket costs per procedure after insurance pays. See our Insurance Tool to find out if your plan covers it.

Which procedure you choose – if insurance won’t pay, costs range anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000+, depending on the procedure. Tap the “Without Insurance” button in the tool to compare the national average self-pay costs for each procedure. (NOTE: Some surgeons offer each procedure for as low as half of the national average).

How competitive your surgeon and hospital fees are – there is often a substantial difference in costs between different doctors and hospitals, even within the same town.

Whether you qualify for tax write-offs – Bariatric surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if your out-of-pocket costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income. See our Tax Tool to find out if your bariatric procedure will be tax deductible.

How you choose to pay for your procedure – If insurance covers it, you’ll only be responsible for any copays, deductibles, and coinsurance required by your specific plan. If you pay for the procedure without insurance, total costs will depend on how you pay. For example, your surgeon may offer a discount if you pay the full amount up front, and you can make the costs more affordable by applying for bariatric surgery financing.

Click here to learn more
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LOAN ESTIMATOR TOOL

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LOAN ESTIMATOR TOOL

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Calculator

Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income.

Use the tool to find out if you qualify for a tax deduction.

To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form 1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as proof. Money in one of the following special savings accounts (or even your IRA) may also be a way to pay for part of surgery tax-free:

  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Tax Write-Off Calculator

Weight loss surgery is tax deductible, which can have a big impact on the total cost of surgery. You can deduct medical expenses if the costs are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income.

Use the tool to find out if you qualify for a tax deduction

To receive the deductions, you’ll need to complete Schedule A of the IRS Form 1040. You’ll also need to save your medical bills and payment statements as proof.

Money in one of the following special savings accounts (or even your IRA) may also be a way to pay for part of surgery tax-free:

  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

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Bariatric Surgery Recovery Timeline Tool

Bariatric surgery recovery varies by procedure. Here are the ranges:

  • Timeline Range: from 3 days to 6 weeks to full recovery
    • Hospital Stay: from outpatient (return home same-day) to 3 days
    • Back to Work: from 3 days to 3 weeks
  • Pain Range: from mild discomfort to manageable with medication
  • Diet Range: from no restrictions to slow transition from clear liquids to solid foods
  • Activity Range: from no restrictions to slow transition back to regular activity and exercise

Use the tool to learn more about each stage of recovery.

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Procedure Summaries

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Below is a brief explanation of how each bariatric surgery procedure works. Tap the icons for more information.

Bariatric Procedure Summaries

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Below is a brief explanation of how each bariatric surgery procedure works. Tap the icons for more information.

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

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Bariatric Procedure Comparison Tool

There are 6 types of bariatric surgery (also called “weight loss surgery”) available, including:

  • Gastric Sleeve – feel less hungry & full sooner while eating
  • Gastric Bypass – feel full sooner while eating & absorb fewer minerals
  • Duodenal Switch – feel less hungry & full sooner while eating, absorb fewer calories and minerals
  • LAP-BAND® – feel full sooner while eating
  • Gastric Balloon – temporarily feel full sooner while eating (balloon removed after 6 months)
  • AspireAssist – drain a portion of stomach contents after eating

Use the tool to compare each procedure.

Click here to learn more
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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

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Bariatric Surgery Quiz: Learn Your Top 2 Procedures

The best weight loss surgery options for you depend on:

  • How much weight you want to lose
  • Your current age, weight, health issues, habits, and lifestyle
  • Your expectations for life after surgery
  • Whether you want a reversible procedure
  • What “trade-offs” you are willing to make

Take the quiz to find out which two procedures are best for you and why.

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool (Gastric Sleeve)

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool (Gastric Sleeve)

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Bariatric Surgery Health Benefits Tool

Bariatric surgery “cures” or significantly improves many obesity-related health conditions, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypertension
  • Joint issues
  • … and many others

Select your health conditions in the tool, then click the Submit button to find out the impact a procedure like gastric sleeve can have.

Click here to learn more
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* Disclaimers: Content: The information contained in this website is provided for general information purposes and your specific results may vary depending on a variety of circumstances. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate professional. Advertising: Bariatric Surgery Source, LLC has entered into referral and advertising arrangements with certain medical practices, original equipment manufacturers, and financial companies under which we receive compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on links to our partners and/or submit information. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Read More

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