/

Program Steps - Surgical Weight Loss Program Overview
There are many steps in a weight loss surgery program. This surgery will be a life-changing event and it is important to get all your questions answered so you will know what to expect.
Attend an Informational Session
We require that every potential patient attend one of our free information sessions on weight loss surgery. Topics covered by our surgical staff include causes and complications of morbid obesity and types of weight loss surgeries available at St. Luke’s, with time for questions and answers following the presentation. Registration is required prior to attendance. For a listing of informational sessions click here.
Physician Consultation
Following attendance at the info session, potential patients can schedule an appointment with our bariatric surgeon, Dr. Jay Lenz, at the Pavilion Surgical Associates office. At the time of the appointment, past and current medical history is reviewed, and together you and the surgeon determine if you are a surgical candidate, and if so, what procedure will work best for you and your weight loss goals. Risks and benefits of the procedures are reviewed in detail at this time as well.
Clinical Nutrition
Following your consultation appointment, visits with one of our Registered Dietitians are scheduled. Each patient will meet individually with a dietitian for an initial assessment, as well as several follow up appointments pre and post surgery to re-educate our patients about healthy eating, goal setting, and to discuss specific diet restrictions a weight loss surgery patient faces. Pre-surgery appointments are scheduled on a monthly basis, in consecutive fashion, and usually span approximately 6 sessions (dependant on insurance requirements).
Clinical Psychologist
An appointment with one of our clinical psychologists are also required of all our bariatric patients in order to help determine if a patient is prepared for the procedure and has the ability to cope with and adhere to the lifestyle changes that the procedures demand. The pre-surgical evaluations include an initial assessment, specialized testing, and follow up appointments as recommended by the psychologist.
Post-surgical counseling is also available to help with issues that may arise.
Core Team Review
Once each patient has completed the minimum requirements, a multidisciplinary team meets to review the patient’s progress and evaluate the plan of care. The purpose of this review process is to encourage optimal success for each patient on an individual basis.
Surgery
Once all of the program and insurance requirements are met, and your case has been reviewed at core team with approval to proceed, a prior authorization is sent to your insurance company. This insurance review can take up to 30 days, depending on your insurance. Once insurance approval has gone through, you will be notified by telephone or letter, and a surgery date can be scheduled.
After Care Program
A group of patients who have had bariatric surgery meet monthly at the Hillside Center for support, guidance, encouragement, and education. The group is facilitated by one of our Registered Dietitians and one of our Psychologists, and educational topics and experiences are shared. We believe this is an integral part of our weight loss surgery program, and one of the most important activities our patients can participate in to encourage long-term success. Referral from Dr. Lenz or our Physician Assistant, Carolyn Guillemette, is required.
Program Overview / Informational Sessions / BMI Calculator / Home
Discharge Instructions
Patient Resources
Additional Clinic Information
St. Luke's | 915 East First Street, Duluth, MN 55805 | 218-249-5555 | 1-800-321-3790
© 2009 St. Luke's. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Compliance Policy | Terms of Use