Many people struggle to lose weight and improve their health. That’s because obesity is a complex disease that often needs more treatment than diet and exercise alone. If you feel like you've run out of options and your weight is affecting your well-being, weight-loss surgery may be your missing tool. Our experienced team has helped more than 2,500 people reclaim their health. You could be next.
Are you just starting to consider weight-loss surgery? Have you been thinking about it for years? No matter how long the topic has been on your mind, we make it easy to learn more about your options at Gundersen. Get started with our free Weight-Loss Surgery Seminar.
Weight-loss surgery can be life changing, but what’s best for one person may not be for you. That's why we offer choices, including:
- Minimally invasive gastric bypass (laparoscopic Roux en Y)
- Gastric sleeve surgery
- Adjustable gastric banding maintenance, removal and conversion
- Orbera® intragastric balloon (non-surgical)
To qualify for weight-loss surgery, you must:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or
- Have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 with significant obesity-related medical problems
- Have a history of obesity and tried to lose weight in the past
- Be between 20 and 65 years old (case-by-case basis for patients older than 65 or younger than 20)
- Not smoke or abuse drugs or alcohol
- Commit to long-term follow-up care and lifestyle changes
Preparing for surgery often takes six or more months. We’ll be with you every step of the way. Here's what to expect:
Education: Our free online Weight-Loss Surgery Seminar is the first step toward surgery. You'll also attend nutrition classes and other educational opportunities.
Evaluations: Medical, psychological and other evaluations will be done to make sure surgery is the best option for you. If it's not, we'll discuss other treatments.
Payment options & insurance: If you use insurance to pay for your surgery, you’ll need to meet your provider’s requirements. We’ll help you navigate this process. If you don’t have insurance or you choose to pay out of pocket, we offer competitive prices. Please contact us for more information.
Scheduling surgery: After you meet all program and insurance requirements, your file will be sent to your insurance company for review. Once you get the green light to proceed, your surgery and all pre-operative appointments will be scheduled.
Long-term follow-up: Choosing weight-loss surgery means choosing lifelong follow-up care. This means regular visits in the first year and annual visits for life. We also offer support groups to help you after surgery.
Bariatric surgery is a big decision, but we're here every step of the way. Find educational handouts and videos, recommended by your trusted Gundersen Bariatric Surgery team.
Maybe you want options. Maybe you’ve been told a certain weight-loss surgery isn’t for you. Maybe you just want peace of mind. There’s no wrong reason for seeking a second opinion, and our experts are here to help.
Weight-Loss Surgery at Gundersen has been accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) since 2007. This recognition means we're always working to offer the safest, highest-quality care possible.
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Check with your insurance company to see if you need a referral before making an appointment.