Bariatric Surgery
High-stakes personal decisions requiring trust, guidance, and coordinated execution across multiple parties.
Inside this journey
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Patient & Referral Discovery
Capture patient clinical profile, BMI/comorbidities, prior weight-loss attempts, referrer rationale, and payer coverage criteria.
Discovery Questions
Start Here: A Quick Snapshot of the Person We’re Meeting
- Patient full name, preferred pronouns, and the best way/time to reach you?
- What is the patient's age bracket and current ZIP/postal code?
- Current height and weight (or most recent clinic measurement) — please enter numbers and date measured.
- Do you know the patient's current BMI (or would you like us to calculate it from the numbers above)?
- Who referred this patient to our program (select best fit and provide the referrer's name if known)?
Why Now? The Moment That Pushed You Toward Surgery
- What change or event made you consider bariatric surgery at this point in your life?
- Which of these triggered the referral or urgency (check all that apply)?
- How long has this feeling of urgency been present?
- If this decision were delayed another 6–12 months, what would you expect to happen medically or personally?
- On a scale from 1–10, how important is changing weight now compared with other life priorities? What makes that number accurate?
Health Profile in Plain Terms: What’s Really Going On
- Which of the following medical conditions does the patient currently have (select all that apply)?
- Please list current major medications related to weight or comorbidities (e.g., insulin, metformin, antihypertensives, GLP-1 agonists) and how long they've been used.
- Has the patient been diagnosed with or treated for sleep apnea? If yes, indicate type of therapy and adherence.
- Are there any prior cardiac, pulmonary, or anesthetic concerns we should flag immediately (e.g., prior DVT/PE, CHF, severe COPD)?
- When was the last set of labs/imaging relevant to weight care (A1c, lipid panel, liver tests, vitamin levels)? Please include dates and results if available.
The Weight-Loss Battles: What You’ve Tried and What Worked (Briefly)
- How many structured weight-loss attempts has the patient completed (programs with documented supervision)?
- Which approaches have been used in the past 5 years? (Select all that apply.)
- Of the methods tried, which produced the most weight loss and how long was it maintained?
- Has the patient used prescription weight-loss medications (e.g., semaglutide, liraglutide)? If yes, list current/past meds and response.
- If prior bariatric or abdominal surgery exists, please describe procedure, year, and any complications or revisions.
What’s Getting in the Way? The Real Barriers That Keep Coming Up
- Which obstacles have most consistently stopped sustained weight loss for this patient?
- How has weight and these barriers affected daily life—work, relationships, mobility, or self-image? Please share a recent example.
- Are there ongoing behavioral health concerns (e.g., uncontrolled depression, active substance use, disordered eating) that we should know about before scheduling evaluations?
- How consistent has the patient been able to follow medical plans in the past year (appointments, meds, prescribed diets)?
- Which social or logistic factors would be hardest to solve if the patient chose surgery (e.g., time off work, post-op caregiver, transportation)?
The Fears and Hopes Conversation: What Matters Deeply
- What is the single biggest fear the patient has about bariatric surgery?
- Which of the following concerns influence decision-making most (select up to three)?
- What outcomes would make the patient feel the surgery was unquestionably worth it (e.g., diabetes remission, mobility, medication reduction)?
- How emotionally ready does the patient feel on most days to make a major medical decision like this?
- Who or what would make the patient feel more confident about moving forward (specific person, information, data, or guarantee)?
Who's In Your Corner: Support, Logistics, and Daily Life After Surgery
- Who will provide in-home support during the first 2 weeks after surgery (select all that apply)?
- How many consecutive days of time off from work could the patient realistically take for surgery and recovery?
- Does the patient have reliable transportation to attend pre-op testing and post-op follow-ups?
- Are there caregiving responsibilities (children, elderly relatives) that would require alternate arrangements if surgery were scheduled?
- Is there a work or disability benefit issue (FMLA, short-term disability, shift work) we should coordinate with the employer about?
The Referrer & Payer Angle: Documentation, Coverage, and Timing
- Does the referring clinician have documentation of failed medical weight management that meets typical payer criteria (please confirm what exists)?
- What type of insurance covers the patient (select one) and do you have a policy number ready?
- Has pre-authorization been started or approved for bariatric surgery?
- If denied or uncertain, what was the payer's stated reason (medical necessity, documentation gap, BMI threshold, other)?
- What deadline or timing pressure does the patient have from payer, employer, or personal circumstances?
Clinical Red Flags & Safety Signals We Can't Ignore
- Are there any immediate clinical issues that could postpone evaluation or surgery (active infection, pregnancy, uncontrolled substance use)?
- Has the patient had any recent unexplained weight loss or rapid weight gain that should be evaluated first?
- Is there active suicidal ideation, psychosis, or a psychiatric hospitalization in the last 12 months?
- Does the patient have any allergies, implantable devices, or prior transfusion reactions we should flag for anesthesia?
- Are there mobility or fall-risk concerns that will affect perioperative planning?
Readiness Check: If Everything Aligned, Would You Proceed?
- If insurance, medical clearance, and scheduling were resolved tomorrow, how likely is the patient to say yes to surgery in the next 6–8 weeks?
- What would need to change for the patient to move from 'unsure' to 'ready' (financial aid, more outcome data, time to prepare, emotional support)?
- Are there dates or time windows in the next 6 months that are impossible for scheduling (school, work, travel, events)?
- Who is the decision-maker for final consent (patient alone, patient + spouse, guardian, power of attorney)?
- What questions, worries, or information would you want answered before committing to a consultation with a surgeon?
Documentation & Next Steps: What We Need From You to Move Forward
- Which of these items can you upload or provide now to speed authorization (recent clinic notes, A1c, sleep study, prior weight-loss program records)?
- Would you like a member of our team to contact the referring provider to request missing documentation and assist with prior authorization?
- Best next step for you right now: schedule surgeon consult, start insurance pre-auth, set up pre-op testing, or other?
- Anything else we should know that hasn't come up — a story, context, or detail that would change how we approach care?
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Solution Experience
Translate the patient’s clinical data into tailored procedure options, expected outcomes, risks, and realistic long-term commitments using real-case scenarios.
Experience Meetings
- Clinical Synthesis & Current-State Confirmation
- Tailored Procedure Options — Diagnosis → Options
- Real-Case Outcomes & Risk Walkthrough
- Insurance Alignment & Authorization Strategy
- Shared Decision-Making & Final Readiness Check
Issues & Enhancements
- Agree on an appeal pathway and owners in case of denial.
- Order any option-specific diagnostics (H. pylori, endoscopy, cardiopulmonary testing) within 10 days if not already available.
- Patient to review and confirm which outcomes matter most (e.g., diabetes remission vs maximal weight loss) before the Outcomes Walkthrough.
- Objective & Validation of Pre-conditions
- Prove, with matched real cases, that the selected procedure can achieve the future-state outcomes the patient values.
- Ensure the patient acknowledges the realistic complication probabilities and long-term commitments required.
- Obtain explicit patient validation that the demonstrated future state is desirable and realistic.
- Supply the patient with the anonymized case summaries and outcome graphs for their records and review.
- Behavioral health/nutrition team to draft a personalized 12-month adherence plan linked to the chosen procedure.
- If concerns arise, schedule a focused complication-risk counseling or second-opinion consult within 7 days.
- Recap Chosen Procedure & Key Clinical Justifications
- Produce a complete pre-authorization checklist with owners and submission deadlines.
- Close any documentation gaps that would prevent timely authorization.
- Introductions & Meeting Objective
- Coordinator to assemble and submit the pre-authorization packet by the agreed date, including surgeon justification letter and required documentation.
- Referring PCP to provide required documentation of prior supervised weight-loss attempts within 5 days.
- Insurance lead to prepare peer-to-peer talking points and timeline for escalation if denied.
- Confirm Chosen Procedure & Rationale
- Obtain mutual commitment to proceed or create a clear alternative path if not ready.
- Ensure the patient can articulate the future-state outcome they expect and the commitments required to achieve it.
- Confirm pre-op items are assigned and scheduled so there are no administrative barriers to surgery once authorization is in place.
- Patient to sign informed consent and return any administrative forms within 3 days.
- Scheduler to hold proposed operating room date and confirm once authorization is received.
- Nutrition team to begin pre-op diet plan and supply written instructions to the patient immediately.
- Produce a clear, one-sentence current-state that all participants agree is accurate.
- Make explicit the clinical and practical consequences of delay or non-action.
- Identify and assign ownership for any missing clinical, insurance, or psychosocial data required for solution design.
- Create a short pre-work list to complete before the Solution Options meeting.
- Surgeon to draft and publish the agreed one-sentence current-state to the patient's record and shared workspace.
- Coordinator to collect outstanding records/tests (sleep study, A1c, prior bariatric records) within 7 days.
- Patient to confirm medication list and prior weight-loss program documentation before the next meeting.
- Recap: Current-State & Consequence
- Ensure the patient and referring clinicians understand how each procedure directly addresses the defined current-state and consequences.
- Elicit a preliminary patient preference or list additional information needed to choose.
- Identify which option(s) require additional tests, specialists, or insurer evidence before proceeding.
- Team to generate individualized outcome estimates (12/24/60 months) for each option and upload to the shared workspace.
- Risks, Recovery & Long-term Commitments Review
- Payer Policy Mapping
- Case Study 1: Closest Match — Longitudinal Outcomes
- Option A: Procedure, Mechanism, Immediate Outcome
- One-sentence Current-State Readout
- Option B: Procedure, Mechanism, Immediate Outcome
- Consequence Quantification
- Informed Consent Questions & Psychosocial Readiness
- Case Study 2: Alternative Procedure — Tradeoffs
- Pre-Authorization Packet & Timeline
- Data Gap Review
- Pre-op Checklist & Scheduling
- Option C / Revisional Considerations (if applicable)
- Denial Contingency & Appeal Strategy
- Complication Scenarios and Management
- Final Validation & Next Actions
- Validation & Patient Confirmation
- Long-term Commitment Reality Check
- Comparative Decision Matrix
- Owner Assignment & Validation
- Patient Preference & Validation
- Validation Check & Acceptance
- Next Steps & Pre-work for Options Meeting
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Solution Scope
Define the chosen procedure, pre-op medical and psychological clearances, nutrition/behavioral plan, insurer responsibilities, and measurable success signals.
Scope Configuration
- Bariatric Education Seminar
- Insurance Preauthorization Management
- Preoperative Very-Low-Calorie Diet Program
- Medical Optimization for Surgery
- Intraoperative Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Intraoperative Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
- Intraoperative Duodenal Switch
- Revisional Bariatric Surgery
- Inpatient Postoperative Care and Monitoring
- Twelve-Month Postoperative Nutrition Program
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Pack
- Telehealth Postoperative Follow-Up Visits
- Multidisciplinary Behavioral Support Program
- Endoscopic Management of Postoperative Complications
Scope Questions
Bariatric Education Seminar
- Is attendance at an education seminar required by the referring clinician or insurer for this patient?
- Which seminar delivery formats should we offer for this patient cohort?
- Who should be invited to attend the seminar in addition to the patient?
- What key topics must be included for this patient (select all that apply)?
- Are there language, accessibility, or literacy accommodations required for seminar materials?
Insurance Preauthorization Management
- Which payer(s) are involved for this patient and do they require prior authorization for bariatric surgery?
- What is the current authorization status for this patient?
- Which clinical documents are available to support authorization (e.g., PCP notes documenting failed medical therapy, labs, sleep study)?
- Does the insurer require specific program milestones (e.g., documented supervised weight-loss attempts, pre-op diet completion, psychological evaluation)?
- Do you want the center to manage appeals and peer-to-peer reviews if denial occurs?
Preoperative Very-Low-Calorie Diet Program
- Is a formal preoperative very-low-calorie diet required by the surgeon or payer for this patient?
- What is the planned duration for the VLCD for this patient?
- Should the program include delivered meal replacements versus clinic-managed meal plans and counseling?
- What clinical monitoring is required during the VLCD (e.g., weekly weight checks, labs, telehealth touchpoints)?
- Are there contraindications or comorbidities (e.g., advanced cardiac disease, pregnancy) that would modify the VLCD approach for this patient?
Medical Optimization for Surgery
- Which medical clearances does this patient require prior to scheduling (select all that apply)?
- Are there active comorbidities that need optimization before surgery (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, OSA untreated, uncontrolled hypertension)?
- What baseline pre-op testing should be ordered (e.g., labs, EKG, chest x-ray, imaging)?
- Should the center coordinate medication adjustments (e.g., anticoagulants, diabetes meds) with the referring provider?
- Do you require documented risk counseling or a formal informed-consent checklist prior to scheduling?
Intraoperative Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Is sleeve gastrectomy the chosen index procedure for this patient?
- Which operative approach is preferred?
- Are there intraoperative adjuncts or supplies required (e.g., staple-line reinforcement, bougie size preference, hemostatic agents)?
- What anesthesia and intraoperative monitoring requirements should the team anticipate (e.g., special airway plan, invasive monitoring)?
- Should intraoperative criteria be documented for conversion to alternative procedures or staged approaches?
Intraoperative Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
- Is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass being considered/selected for this patient?
- Are there anatomy or prior-surgery factors that affect the operative plan (e.g., previous upper-abdominal surgery, large hiatal hernia)?
- What limb lengths or technical preferences should be specified (e.g., biliopancreatic limb length)?
- Do you require routine intraoperative leak testing and if so, by which method?
- Are specialized intraoperative consults anticipated (e.g., general surgery, hepatobiliary)?
Intraoperative Duodenal Switch
- Is duodenal switch being planned or considered for this patient?
- Does the patient require staged procedures or counseling about malabsorptive impacts prior to committing to DS?
- Are there specific intraoperative resource needs (e.g., longer OR block time, specialized staplers, experienced anesthesia team)?
- Should intraoperative nutrition counseling and early parenteral strategies be pre-planned given malabsorptive profile?
- Are protocols required for monitoring and managing expected higher-risk complications (e.g., bile reflux, protein malnutrition)?
Revisional Bariatric Surgery
- What is the index procedure the patient previously had and what is the indication for revision?
- Has the patient had prior operative reports, imaging, or endoscopy available for review?
- Is the revision expected to be endoscopic, laparoscopic, or open, and should we plan for combined approaches?
- Are additional preoperative investigations required (e.g., upper GI series, endoscopy, CT abdomen)?
- Are there heightened perioperative risk considerations to plan for (e.g., extensive adhesions, nutritional deficits, need for blood products)?
Inpatient Postoperative Care and Monitoring
- What is the anticipated postoperative length of stay for the planned procedure?
- Are higher-acuity bed needs anticipated (e.g., step-down or ICU) for this patient?
- Which standard postoperative orders/protocols should be used (select all that apply)?
- What routine labs and imaging should be ordered post-op and at what intervals?
- Should the inpatient team include routine consults (e.g., nutrition, physical therapy, pain service)?
Twelve-Month Postoperative Nutrition Program
- What is the cadence of dietitian follow-up you want included in the 12-month program?
- Should the program include structured meal plans, behavioral coaching, and education modules?
- Will routine nutritional labs (e.g., CBC, iron studies, B12, vitamin D) be scheduled as part of the program?
- Should the program integrate weight and adherence tracking with automated reminders or telehealth check-ins?
- Are group education sessions or peer-support groups desired as part of the 12-month program?
Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Pack
- Should a standardized post-bariatric multivitamin pack be provided at discharge?
- What formulations should be included (select all that apply)?
- Do you require branded product selection, bulk generic, or patient-specific compounded packs?
- Should the program include automatic re-supply or pharmacy fulfillment and shipment to patient?
- Are there payer coverage constraints or prior authorizations needed for any supplement components?
Telehealth Postoperative Follow-Up Visits
- How many telehealth visits should be included in the standard postop plan within the first year?
- Which visit types are acceptable via telehealth (select all that apply)?
- Which telehealth platforms or EMR integrations are required for scheduling and documentation?
- Do patients require pre-visit technical support or an onboarding guide for telehealth?
- Should telehealth visits trigger in-person escalation criteria (e.g., vital sign thresholds, concerning symptoms)?
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Mutual Commit
Confirm insurance pre-authorization, informed consent, financial responsibility, scheduling, and mutual readiness criteria among patient, surgeon, and payer.
Agreement Modules
- Statement of Work (Care Plan)
- Insurance Pre-Authorization Confirmation
- Informed Consent
- Financial Responsibility & Payment Agreement
- Scheduling & Procedure Booking Confirmation
- Pre-Operative Medical & Psychological Clearance Acknowledgement
- Pre-Op Nutrition & Behavioral Commitment
- Mutual Readiness Checklist
- Release of Medical Records & Payer Communication Authorization
- Post-Operative Follow-Up & Monitoring Agreement
- Emergency Contact & Support Plan
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Deployment
Coordinate pre-op diet and testing, clearances, surgical scheduling, perioperative logistics, and discharge/follow-up handoffs with owners and timelines.
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Success
Monitor weight-loss milestones, complication surveillance, nutritional labs, adherence support, and maintain a shared issues & enhancements channel for ongoing care.
Success Reviews
- Early Recovery Check (2-week post-op)
- 30-Day Progress Review
- Quarterly Outcome & Nutritional Laboratory Review (3/6 months)
- Annual Maintenance & Long-term Strategy (12 months+)
- Multidisciplinary Care & Issues Review (Shared Channel Sync)
Issues & Enhancements
- Ensure systems-level handoffs to primary care and specialists for durable follow-up.
- Current-state clinical snapshot
- Detect and correct nutritional deficiencies and adjust supplementation to reach lab targets.
- Agree on measurable short-term weight and comorbidity targets and the interventions that will achieve them.
- Assign clear owners and timelines for each intervention and ensure patient buy-in.
- Order complete nutritional panel and any targeted tests (iron studies, folate, B12, vitamin D, zinc) and schedule follow-up labs.
- Update supplement prescriptions and provide written dosing plan.
- Enroll patient in structured behavior-change program or schedule dietitian/psychology sessions.
- Document measurable targets and owners in the shared care channel and notify PCP/endocrinologist.
- Comprehensive outcomes review
- Confirm 12-month clinical outcomes and determine if additional medical or surgical interventions are necessary.
- Agree on a clear, measurable long-term monitoring and support plan with assigned owners.
- Current-state snapshot
- Create and share a documented long-term maintenance plan including lab schedule and target metrics.
- Order annual maintenance labs and schedule the next annual review.
- Refer to specialty services or evaluate candidacy for revisional procedures if indicated.
- Enroll patient in ongoing support resources (groups, coaching app) and record access instructions.
- Review open issues from shared channel
- Clear the shared channel backlog of actionable issues with assigned owners and timelines.
- Implement at least one workflow or policy change per meeting to reduce recurring issues.
- Ensure timely communication of resolutions to patients and relevant stakeholders.
- Assign owners and deadlines for each high-priority issue and log them in the shared channel.
- Draft and approve any agreed workflow or documentation changes and set an implementation date.
- Initiate appeals or coverage requests with payer contacts for unresolved authorization barriers.
- Notify patient and PCP of issue resolution and any changes to the care plan.
- Confirm there are no early post-op complications requiring urgent intervention.
- Verify adherence to immediate diet/medication/supplement plan and address barriers.
- Order any necessary tests or referrals and schedule the next follow-up visit.
- Order urgent labs or imaging if red-flag signs present (CBC, CMP, CT if indicated).
- Schedule surgeon or urgent clinic visit for any identified complications.
- Refer to dietitian for reinforcement of stage-appropriate intake and supplement checklist.
- Document wound care/pain instructions in patient portal and confirm patient understands.
- Concise outcome snapshot
- Confirm early weight-loss is within expected range or define corrective steps if it is not.
- Identify and begin correction of any nutritional deficiencies or intolerances.
- Link patient to behavioral support when barriers to adherence are identified.
- Order or repeat basic nutritional panel (CBC, CMP, iron studies, B12, vitamin D) if not already done.
- Adjust or reinforce supplement dosing and document changes.
- Initiate behavioral health or structured support program referral if indicated.
- Notify PCP/endocrine team of medication changes for continuity of care.
- Consequence analysis
- Long-term consequence framing
- Consequence and prioritization
- Preliminary labs & deficits
- Red-flag screening
- Define future-state maintenance plan
- Diet and medication adherence
- Nutritional deep-dive
- Diet tolerance and intake review
- Decision and owner assignment
- Behavioral adherence & psychosocial check
- Pain management and wound care review
- Revisional or specialty evaluation
- Barrier diagnosis & behavioral intervention
- Process or policy enhancements
- Define future-state targets & proof points
- Orders and next steps
- Comorbidity and medication reconciliation
- Lifelong support and resources
- Validation and closed-loop communication