Getting Started

Is Bariatric Surgery the right choice for me?

Once a person decides that he or she is interested in weight loss surgery, the first step is to gather more information about the surgery and decide whether it is the appropriate step to take. To be considered for bariatric surgery, you must go through a thorough screening and evaluation process.  This helps to ensure that this is the best decision for you and your health.

By attending a bariatric info session with Dr Shillingford, potential patients can gather more information about the different types of weight loss surgeries offered, the post-surgical lifestyle, and other important topics.

Are you a candidate?

The weight loss surgery offer important health benefits, however, they are not for everyone. In order to undergo bariatric surgery, patients must be significantly overweight.  Anyone with a body mass index higher than 40 is considered morbidly obese and may be a good candidate. Those who are somewhat less obese but are suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or other obesity-related health problems will also be considered for weight loss surgery at our center. To help determine whether you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, you can begin by calculating your BMI and also fill out our patient forms and bring them with you to our practice.  

Patients must also be psychologically prepared to undergo treatment. They must be ready to commit to a very different lifestyle, with strict dietary and exercise requirements.

Info Sessions

For those interested in weight loss surgery, Dr Shillingford offers free info sessions. Risks, benefits, potential complications, and our approach to the weight loss process are all discussed in great detail.

Financing

Considering the cost of treatment is an important part of deciding whether to undergo weight loss surgery. Our staff works with patients to fill out financial paperwork, and in many cases insurance will cover weight loss surgery as a medical necessity. For patients whose insurance providers will not cover the cost of treatment, we have arranged with third parties to offer a number of affordable financing plans

Contact Us

If you are ready to explore weight loss surgery, contact us or attend a free information session

I have decided to have Bariatric Surgery- What’s next?

What you need to do:

• The first step is to schedule your attendance at the Information session.
• Make an appointment with your primary care doctor and ask them to provide us a letter of support endorsing you as a candidate for bariatric surgery and outlining the health problems to be addressed with surgery.
• Provide us with your complete weight loss history. 
• Finally, make an appointment with Dr Shillingford to discuss details about the choice of surgery and postoperative expectations.

What We Do:

• We will submit a letter of medical necessity to insurance with the correct benefits contact information upon receipt of current insurance information and completed health questionnaire.
• Upon confirmation of covered benefits, we will schedule an appointment for testing and evaluation with Dr Kothari or another mental health professional as determined by your insurance plan.
• After your psychological evaluation, our team meets to discuss each case. Upon approval by our team and written prior authorization from your insurance provider, surgery will be scheduled at either Northwest Medical Center or Coral Springs Medical Center.
• Pre-operative education includes appointments with Dr Shillingford, nutritionist, and nurse educator.
• Patients will need to have preoperative blood tests, EKG and chest X-ray along with clearance from their primary care physicians and other health care consultants if necessary.  Some people may require stress test and/or sleep study prior to scheduling surgery
• All follow-up care and appointments are with Dr Shillingford in the West Boca office.