Beaufort Memorial Hospital | Affiliated with Duke University Health System in heart and cancer

Bariatric Surgery Program

Benefits, Risks and Insurance Coverage

Benefits of Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery works in many ways:

  • It limits the amount of food you can consume at one time and enables you to feel satisfied after smaller portions.
  • It provides you with a “tool” to help achieve the permanent weight loss you desire.
  • It often helps eliminate health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, acid reflux and joint pain.

Risks of Surgery

Surgery for weight loss is a serious decision. Although measures are taken to reduce the risks of complications, they may still occur. Complications may include:

  • Nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis & metabolic bone disease
  • Dumping syndrome
  • Wound infection
  • Leak from the hook-up/peritonitis
  • Incisional hernias
  • Gallstones

A thorough review of these and other possible complications will be provided at a
patient consultation meeting.

Insurance Coverage

Once you have medically qualified for gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon’s office and
BMH will begin the insurance approval process. This may take weeks or months. Once
pre-authorization is obtained, an appointment with the surgeon will be scheduled.

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