Embarking on a weight loss journey is a significant decision, and Oregon Weight Loss Surgery (OWLS) in Portland, Oregon, is dedicated to providing expert guidance and compassionate care. As one of the Northwest’s most experienced bariatric programs, OWLS offers both surgical and non-surgical solutions tailored to individual needs, helping patients achieve healthier and happier lives. This article provides a detailed overview of weight loss surgery options, costs, and considerations in Oregon, with a focus on the services offered by Oregon Weight Loss Surgery and OHSU Health Bariatric Services.
Understanding Bariatric Surgery
For many individuals, diet and exercise alone do not provide long-term, sustainable weight loss. Bariatric surgery and medical weight loss medication can provide lasting appetite reduction that helps people lose weight for good. Weight loss surgery is highly effective at helping people lose weight and keep it off for the long term. Bariatric treatment can be the answer to obesity and related health problems.
Oregon Weight Loss Surgery: Personalized Care and Expertise
At Oregon Weight Loss Surgery (OWLS), the goal is to assist you in achieving your weight-loss goals while delivering the highest quality care. OWLS prides itself on offering the most complete bariatric care with a highly experienced surgical team in Oregon. The clinic also collaborates with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), with OHSU's bariatric providers performing surgeries on their campus.
Comprehensive Bariatric Program
OWLS offers a comprehensive bariatric program, including collaboration with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Expert care is provided to determine the most suitable type of weight-loss surgery or medical weight loss medication for individual needs. The accredited bariatric surgery program offers potentially life-changing surgical options.
Support at Every Step
The weight-loss journey at OWLS begins with an extensive evaluation and education program. To enhance convenience, virtual visits and online classes are available to patients regardless of their location.
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Types of Bariatric Procedures Offered
Oregon Weight Loss Surgery offers a range of bariatric procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric balloon, to suit different patient needs.
Gastric Bypass: In a gastric bypass, the surgeon separates part of the stomach and creates a small pouch, then attaches it to a part of the small intestine. The new pouch is about the size of a golf ball, whereas the stomach is usually about the size of a football. Like the other surgeries, it holds less food, making you feel full faster. Gastric bypass surgery is a weight-loss procedure that shrinks the size of your stomach, thereby reducing the calories you consume.
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy): In a gastric sleeve (also known as sleeve gastrectomy), the surgeon removes up to 85 percent of the stomach. The stomach is changed to a “sleeve” shape, from the esophagus to the small intestine. Once you have covered all that, you may be considered a strong candidate for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
Gastric Balloon: The gastric balloon procedure is simple. A soft balloon is placed in the stomach. Once placed, it is filled with saline to help limit the amount of food you eat.
Some people need additional surgery after a previous weight loss surgery, either for additional weight loss or for issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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Cost Considerations for Weight Loss Surgery
The cost of weight loss surgery in Oregon can vary significantly based on several factors:
- Type of Procedure: Different bariatric surgeries have different costs associated with them. Gastric bypass surgeries tend to be more expensive, since the patient is typically required to stay in the hospital for a few days.
- Insurance Coverage: Many bariatric surgeries, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, are covered by most major insurances and Medicare if patients meet certain criteria. The overall cost depends on individuals' needs, the type of procedure performed, and their insurance coverage.
- Individual Needs: The specific requirements and health status of each patient can influence the overall cost.
The typical cost of bariatric weight loss surgery in the United States is between $25,000 and $30,000.
Navigating Insurance Coverage
Many health insurance companies cover bariatric treatment. The best way to find out if yours does is to call the company and ask. If your plan offers coverage, OWLS is happy to help you gain authorization and figure out which parts of treatment are covered.
Medicare Coverage for Bariatric Surgery
As the obesity rate in the United States rises, so does the demand for Medicare coverage of bariatric weight loss surgery. Many patients ask us frequently, will Medicare cover bariatric surgery. Despite the fact that Medicare will cover weight loss surgery, the program decides on benefits denial or approval on a case-by-case basis. To be approved, weight loss surgery must be FDA-approved. Not every circumstance in life is the same. Regrettably, this implies that coverage may differ from one individual to the next.
Although Medicare covers a variety of bariatric weight loss operations, not all of them are covered. Roux en y gastric bypass is a surgical surgery that divides the stomach into tiny sections in order to reduce calorie intake. Medicare may reimburse gastric bypass surgery after an obesity screening, including a BMI test and counseling. This treatment, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, involves removing and separating around 85 percent of the stomach. The duodenal switch is a relatively recent operation that is covered by Medicare. Duodenal switch surgery is covered by Medicare. However, finding a bariatric surgeon to do the treatment might be difficult. You must fulfill all of the above criteria to be considered a candidate for bariatric weight reduction surgery. Medicare is not required to approve your operation even if you fulfill all of the requirements. Approval of bariatric surgical procedures by Medicare may be a complex process.
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Inpatient hospital charges are covered by Medicare Part A. If your operation is an outpatient procedure, however, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of your doctor’s services and materials. After original Medicare pays, a Medicare Supplement insurance would cover most, if not all, of your out-of-pocket payments. If you have Medicare Advantage coverage, on the other hand, you may have to go through more extensive prerequisites.
Self-Pay Options and Financing
Oregon Weight Loss Surgery welcomes self-pay weight-loss patients. Some of the newest and least invasive procedures are not yet covered by most health insurance coverage. At our clinic, Oregon Weight Loss Surgery in Portland, Oregon, we provide a cash pay option and multiple finance options. OWLS also has self-pay coordinators who can help you find the right payment options and self-pay pricing options for you.
Prosper HealthCare Lending offers loans for bariatric treatment. Oregon Weight Loss Surgery is happy to partner with the helpful folks at Prosper Healthcare Lending. It only takes a few minutes to verify your identity and provide you with loan options. Checking your loan options through Prosper Healthcare Lending will not affect your credit score. If you choose Prosper, the funds will be sent directly to your bank account.
Potential Cost Savings
Of course, there are potential cost savings, too. Well, a recent study showed that bariatric surgery pays for itself within a few years after the procedure has been performed.
OHSU Health Bariatric Services
OHSU Health Bariatric Services is a leader in weight-loss surgery and other bariatric treatment. Their team of experts will give you the care and support you need to live a better life.
Multidisciplinary Approach
OHSU Health Bariatric Services employs a multistep program that combines surgery with supported nutrition, exercise, and supplements. A team-based care approach ensures that your surgeon, nurse practitioner, dietitian, physical therapist, psychologist, and others work together to provide comprehensive care.
Emphasis on Patient Comfort
OHSU's clinics, operating rooms, and other spaces are designed for patient comfort. Their Walk to Recovery program encourages early movement after surgery, setting patients on a path to meeting their goals even before leaving the hospital.
Experience and Expertise
OHSU's surgeons have more than 80 years of combined experience and have completed fellowships (advanced training) in areas such as minimally invasive surgery and bariatrics.
Accreditations and Designations
OHSU Health Bariatric Services holds several accreditations and designations, including:
- Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program certification.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Distinction Center+ for bariatric surgery.
- Optum Bariatric Center of Excellence designation.
- Aetna Institutes of Quality® designation.
Research and Innovation
As Oregon’s only academic health center, OHSU is dedicated to research that improves patient care. They are a leader in a National Institutes of Health bariatric surgery research project and are researching possible links between obesity and cancer.
Is Weight-Loss Surgery Right for You?
Weight-loss surgery is a big step and isn’t the right answer for everyone. Diet and exercise alone rarely lead to success, studies show. People who have surgery are much healthier and happier on average than similar people who don’t, studies show. Life expectancy climbs.
Your care team will work with you and your primary care doctor before, during and long after surgery.
Comorbidities and Candidacy
Comorbidities are disorders that are linked to another health problem. This may sometimes imply that one health concern leads to another. Comorbidity refers to any ailment that arises as a direct consequence of morbid obesity in the context of bariatric surgery. If you are morbidly obese but do not have any of the following illnesses, you may still be a candidate for weight loss procedures.