Grand View Health Visitor Policy: Updated March 24, 2023.
The Main Entrance and Emergency Department are now open at the Pavilion at Grand View Hospital.
Grand View Health Visitor Policy: Updated March 24, 2023.
The Main Entrance and Emergency Department are now open at the Pavilion at Grand View Hospital.
If your weight is keeping you from the activities you enjoy, surgical weight loss may be an option to help you lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Our mission at Grand View Weight Management is to provide a comprehensive surgical weight-loss program with good outcomes and a lifetime of support and care for our patients.
Grand View Health offers free monthly weight management information seminars that explain how our surgical program works.
When you attend a seminar, you will meet our board-certified Bariatric Surgeon, Michael Fishman, MD, who will present the surgery options available at Grand View Health, discuss related health benefits and risks associated with surgery, and answer questions you may have. Register to reserve your spot today at gvh.org/class.
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool that compares your height to your weight, giving an indication of whether you are overweight, underweight or a healthy weight for your height.
If your BMI is greater than 40, you are a candidate for bariatric surgery.
If you BMI is equal to or greater than 35 and you have significant obesity-related health conditions, it is likely that you are a candidate for bariatric surgery.
If your BMI is less than 35, we recommend making an appointment to enroll in Grand View’s physician-monitored weight loss program.
If you think you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery, a one-on-one consultation with our bariatric surgeon can help you understand the risks, benefits of the weight-loss procedures we offer. Call 215-453-2669 to make an appointment.
To achieve the lifestyle changes needed for lasting success following bariatric surgery, our nutrition, exercise, and behavioral specialists can help you stay on track. You will have the added support of fellow bariatric patients just like you who understand what it’s like post-bariatric surgery. Attendees in our free bariatric support groups will inspire and motivate you with tips and share experiences from their own weight-loss journeys. Register at gvh.org/classes.
It is important to understand your benefits and any limitation of your insurance provider. Contact your insurance company and have your current insurance information available. You will want to ask about any co-pays that are your responsibility. It is important to both confirm your coverage for bariatric surgery and make sure your provider covers bariatric surgery specifically at Grand View Hospital.
Our office staff will begin the pre-authorization process once you have met program requirements. Check with your insurance company as to what criteria they require for your approval.
Please allow extra time for your initial consultation with the surgeon. During this visit, the surgeon will interview you, review the available surgical procedures and your specific options and answer any questions you may have. The surgeon will also conduct a physical examination. During this appointment, you will receive instructions for losing weight prior to surgery (generally 5-10% of your current weight). Your pre-surgical testing may be scheduled at this time, as well as any additional medical evaluations or appointments the doctor determines are appropriate.
You will be scheduled for an initial consultation with a registered dietitian who will assess current eating habits, diet history, medical history, use of vitamins and supplements, and prepare you for changes to help you succeed following surgery. If you are not currently on a diet program with your family doctor or through our medical weight-loss physician, our dietitians can help you develop a custom weight-loss plan. The dietitian will schedule follow-up nutrition appointments with you during this time.
A behavioral health consultation with a psychologist is required by insurance companies as well as by the program. This consultation will allow our staff to assess your emotional well-being and your readiness to understand and follow the requirements before and after surgery.
If you have an orthopedic condition or other medical conditions, you may be required to obtain a physical therapy consultation. Some insurance companies require you to submit documentation of your participation in an exercise program. The physical therapist will complete an assessment and develop an exercise program for you to follow based on your physical abilities.
If you are required to see additional physicians/specialists, you will need medical clearances from them before you can have surgery. The following are examples of what you will need if these additional visits are ordered:
Our surgeon or gastroenterologist performs all the endoscopy procedures on our surgical candidates. This procedure is to determine if you have any problems that may need to be treated prior to surgery. This test involves the insertion of a tube down your throat into your stomach and the first part of the small intestine and is usually performed one month prior to your surgery.
Other – Individual health history and present circumstances may require patients to have additional tests or clearances from other physicians/specialists. This is determined by the surgeon at your consultation appointment.