Unlock Your Best Body: Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss Surgery in Reno, Nevada

Losing weight can dramatically improve health and well-being, but it's a complex journey. For individuals in Reno, Nevada, weight loss surgery offers a powerful tool when other methods have been unsuccessful. This article explores various aspects of weight loss surgery in Reno, including available programs, procedures, and considerations for those seeking surgical intervention.

Premier Physicians Weight Loss Program

Premier Physicians Weight Loss Program, led by board-certified obesity medicine specialists, offers guidance toward achieving visible results and maintaining accountability. The program has been recognized as “Top Doctors” in Obesity Medicine by peers in Health Care Quarterly for nine consecutive years. The Founder and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), an American Board of Obesity Medicine-certified specialist, brings nearly 20 years of expertise to the program.

Addressing Excess Skin After Massive Weight Loss

While losing a significant amount of weight is a positive achievement, many individuals find themselves with excess skin. This can be a source of discomfort and affect body image. Although shedding fat and building muscle is ideal, there isn’t an exercise or diet that can prevent sagging skin. Contouring your body after massive weight loss can reveal a fit, firm, and more toned you.

Common Areas for Body Contouring

Abdomen: Excess abdominal skin can create a "sack" appearance, potentially obscuring developed abdominal muscles.
Waist and Hips: Tissue accumulation in these areas can affect the definition of the body.
Arms: Flabby arms are a common concern, with low-hanging tissue creating a "bat wing" appearance. In some cases, this excess skin causes painful irritation.
Chest: Sagging tissue along the chest is common for both men and women after losing weight. In women, drooping breasts can create an unattractive appearance. In men, sagging chest skin can displace the areola, robbing them of a masculine contour. A breast lift is designed to reposition sagging breasts for a perkier and more youthful appearance.
Neck: A double chin can turn into excess submental skin following weight loss, and this lack of facial definition may not reflect the leaner contours you have achieved throughout the rest of your body. Excess neck skin is especially common in older patients who suffer from natural age-related facial laxity.

Recovery and Results of Body Contouring

The length of your recovery will vary depending on the number and type of procedures you undergo. Immediately following your surgery, you will experience some bruising and swelling. You will wear a compression garment in the weeks following your surgery to ensure the best results possible. Most patients may resume normal activity within two weeks of their procedure and resume more vigorous physical exercise after four to six weeks. You will notice an immediate change in the shape and feel of your body, and you will see more dramatic results as the swelling subsides.

Patients considering surgery should be within 30 pounds of their goal weight and have maintained a stable weight for six months to one year. Although Dr. Bonaldi does his best to place incisions in discreet locations whenever possible, a full circumferential tummy tuck requires an incision around the entire abdomen. The incision and resulting scar can be hidden under clothing, and the scar will likely fade over time. The cost of post-massive weight loss surgery in Reno, NV, is decided on a patient-by-patient basis. Surgical, facility and anesthesia fees, as well as the type and number of procedures, will affect the cost of your treatment. Breast lift surgery won’t restore volume to the breasts. Please discuss your fuller breast desires with Dr. Bonaldi during your initial consultation. Bleeding and infection are risks in all surgeries. Excess fluid accumulation called seromas can also occur.

Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL

Considerations for Out-of-Town Patients

Bonaldi Aesthetics welcomes patients from across the United States. Men and women come from coast to coast to see Dr. Bonaldi and our team, thanks to the high level of care and results offered. Whether you are a Reno native or visiting us from out of town, we can’t wait to welcome you to the Bonaldi Aesthetics family. A complete review of your medical history is required prior to surgery. This helps ensure that the anesthesia and stress of surgery are well-tolerated. If you have any notable medical concerns, a consultation with other specialists may be necessary before surgery to help minimize the chance of complications. It’s essential to share the full extent of your weight loss history with our plastic surgeons. This may include information like whether you’ve undergone prior surgeries, and/or how long you’ve been at a stable weight. If you are currently still losing weight, it may be advisable to postpone body contouring surgery until after your weight has not fluctuated for at least 6 to 12 months. Our surgeons performs full physical exams to help determine the most ideal body contouring procedures for patients. Photos can also be an invaluable resource to help communicate your aesthetic goals to Dr. McCormack or Dr. There are many individuals who visit our practice from out-of-town specifically to undergo body contouring surgery. If you are not from the area, our friendly team strive to accommodate out-of-town patients as much as possible by helping prepare for your arrival. Before arriving in the Reno and Lake Tahoe areas, we kindly ask individuals to fill out our online medical questionnaire, which can serve as an initial virtual consultation. The process typically involves visits to your primary care physician ahead of time so that lab work and necessary tests to obtain medical clearance can be completed. We ask that out-of-town patients arrive at least two to three days before their scheduled procedure to complete a full physical evaluation, and to finish the preoperative workup. Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn also request that individuals stay in town for at least 10 to 14 days after their body contouring surgery, assuming there are no complications, so they can monitor your recovery. Our team can help you arrange your stay in local hotels or nursing care facilities so you can comfortably recover from surgery. Patients who are still considered obese or morbidly obese are not good candidates for body contouring, as the surgical risks may be too great. Those who are not yet at a healthy weight often have medical issues that can cause complications with the general anesthesia utilized during surgery.

Renown Health's Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Program

Renown Health’s Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Program helps patients achieve significant, lasting weight loss through advanced, minimally invasive procedures. Their expert team provides comprehensive support before, during and after surgery.

Why Choose Renown?

Accredited Expertise: Nationally recognized by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) as a Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Faster recovery and fewer complications using the newest da Vinci 5 Robotic System.
Dedicated Team: Dr. Ayzengart brings a wealth of expertise and experience, specializing in minimally invasive management of obesity, reflux, esophageal and stomach disorders, and select abdominal general surgical conditions. He is board-certified through the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. In addition, Dr. Ayzengart currently serves as a vice president of the California / Nevada state chapter of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
Ongoing Support: Nutrition counseling, psychological support and lifelong follow-up provided by Dr. Ayzengart and our Renown's dedicated multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifying for Weight-Loss Surgery at Renown

You may be a candidate if you:

Are of between the ages 13 to 80. * Children and adolescents under the age of 18 are considered on individual basis.
Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 or higher with obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea.
BMI of 40 kg/m2 and greater qualifies with or without other health issues.

Bariatric Surgery Options at Renown

Sleeve gastrectomy: Reduces stomach size to promote fullness.
Gastric bypass - Duodenal switch: Alters digestion to aid in weight loss.
Revision surgery: Modifies or corrects previous procedures, to improve weight loss or address complications.

Learning More About Renown's Program

Attend their Virtual Seminar - Gain insights about your options with Dr. Ayzengart and Renown’s Bariatric Program.
Call them - For assistance over the phone, call 775-982-6270 and mention Bariatric Surgery or Dr. Alexander Ayzengart.
Discuss with your Provider - Talk with your doctor about surgery options and a referral.

Renown Health is honored to be one of two hospitals in Nevada offering this groundbreaking technology, showing our dedication to exceptional care in northern Nevada.

Western Bariatric Institute

Western Bariatric Institute is an established, highly experienced, multidisciplinary, surgical weight loss center located in Reno, Nevada. Dedicated to providing patients with the highest level of care available, their practice houses four board-certified surgeons, three advanced practice nurses, a registered nurse, two medical assistants, a dietitian, and a whole line of support staff to care for their bariatric patients through every step of the process towards weight loss surgery. John Ganser, MD, Mark Kozar, MD, Kent Sasse, MD, and Robert Watson, MD, are the surgeons who perform the surgical procedures and supervise the care of all patients.

Western Bariatric Institute was established in 2000 as a division of Western Surgical Group, the largest surgery group in Northern Nevada. The Medical Director for Western Bariatric Institute is Dr. Kent Sasse. Dr. Sasse received both his medical degree and completed a residency in general surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed a fellowship with the Lahey Clinic in colon and rectal surgery. He is fluent in English and Spanish; is a Major in the US Air Force Reserves; a board certified surgeon; fellow of the American College of Surgeons; and member of SAGES, ASBS, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. He is also a clinical instructor at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and clinical instructor for the Uniformed Health Services, MGMC.

Since 2003, Dr. Western Bariatric Institute moved into a new practice suite in March, 2006, after constructing an office built specifically focused on the needs of bariatric patients. Their clinic houses five exam rooms, a private classroom for teaching preoperative and postoperative classes, a private office for their dietitian, and numerous other offices for their support staff. They are located directly across the street from one of the three hospitals in the Reno area, allowing for easy access to facilities for many of their patients. Their facility also provides a comfortable patient and reception area with seating that is appropriate for bariatric patients and exam rooms that were specifically designed to make their patients as comfortable as possible.

In 2006, over 530 primary weight loss surgical procedures (gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and revisions) were performed at Western Bariatric Institute. For the three years prior, following are the numbers: 2005 - 468 patients; 2004 - 249 patients; 2003 - 286 patients. The average age of their patient population is 46.26 years, with their youngest patient ever being 15 and their oldest being 77. Eighty-two percent of their patients are female and 18 percent are male, although they seem to be seeing more men lately.

Attaining the SRC Center of Excellence designation was not an easy process, but they believe it to be valuable for their community to ensure that patients are receiving the highest level of care available. The process of pulling together information to substantiate that each of the guidelines are being met is probably the most time-consuming piece, but definitely acts as a means for verifying that the systems put in place are working. They continually review the SRC guidelines to monitor that their program is staying on track and also use them as a tool for improving processes for their practice.

Their center focuses on two types of minimally invasive weight loss surgery, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric banding. Their multidisciplinary approach is built around providing as many tools as they can for their patients under one roof. They provide preoperative classes for all patients on what to expect before, during, and after surgery and provide nutritional counseling prior to surgery. They have strong partnerships with many local practitioners for conducting psychological evaluations as well, with one practitioner even being housed in their building. Their registered dietitian is available to patients for preoperative assessments and nutritional guidance before or after surgery, and also teaches various classes on healthy eating that are open to anyone in their community.

Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation

As any provider of care for obese patients can tell you, the first priority is to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible. The first step toward weight loss surgery with their program is to attend one of their free informational seminars to learn more about the procedures that they perform. These seminars are presented by one of their four surgeons and are held two or three times per month. They strive to make every patient feel important and comfortable, and customer service is a number one priority in their practice. They have implemented patient surveys that are completed by every patient at their first postoperative visit to gauge their success for providing high levels of patient care. In addition, their lobby has patient feedback forms and a drop box so that patients can share their feedback anytime with their staff. By having these programs in place, they hope that their patients realize how much they value them entrusting us with their care. For weight loss surgery, their past patients are their best spokespeople and models for the outside world.

Western Bariatric Institute has instituted a “paperless” office, with the utilization of electronic medical records (EMR). They also use the EMMI patient education program, which provides their patients with an interactive program specifically designed for the weight loss surgery procedure that they have chosen. They have a dedicated employee to handle all of their surgical scheduling who has built strong relationships with all of the schedulers at the local hospitals and surgery outpatient centers. The program that they utilize within their office for scheduling is the Greenway/PrimeSuite system, which is utilized as an electronic medical record program and scheduling program. Currently, they do not carry any products in their office that need to be inventoried. They work with an online company where their patients can order supplies and have them shipped directly to their homes. They are in the process of expanding their clinic, however, and part of that expansion might include a small retail area for their patients to purchase products that are helpful preoperatively and postoperatively. Regarding the purchasing of equipment and supplies, all ordering is handled through two employees out of their parent company, Western Surgical Group. If new equipment or supplies are needed, a request is submitted to one of the designated employees stating what is needed and why, and then the requested items are ordered (if approved).

Western Bariatric Institute is currently in the process of expanding their clinic location to better accommodate the growing demand for their services. They are building a larger training/conference room that will help with their preoperative and nutritional classes, and are adding on exam rooms and office space. They believe that managed care has affected everyone in the healthcare industry and feel that the best way to handle it is to just work through the requirements to the best of their abilities. Managed care determines the facilities that they utilize for their surgical procedures, and in their area, their surgeons currently do operations at five local institutions. All of the facilities that they use meet their high levels of standards for patient safety and care. Managed care requires them to do ongoing trainings with all five local facilities to ensure that their staff is up to date and trained to handle bariatric patients. To help contain costs for their patients, they have been able to work with many of the local surgical centers to offer their cash pay gastric banding patients a significantly reduced price for the procedure. By partnering with these locations, the out of pocket expense for their patients has been significantly reduced, and allows them to assist many additional patients with their long-term weight loss goals. In addition, the local institutions that they partner with have worked to create bariatric teams to handle their patients with the highest level of care and respect available. One of their hospital partners has even created a shadowing program for new clinical team members that improves patient satisfaction and safety, along with efficiency. Through this program, a team member is assigned to a bariatric patient prior to surgery and stays with the patient throughout the entire process. The clinical person is there holding the patient’s hand when he or she goes in to surgery, is present during the surgical procedure itself, is the first person to be seen by the patient when he or she wakes up, and then follows the patient to the recovery area postoperatively.

Gastric banding is considered an outpatient procedure for most of their patients. Along with their local surgical centers, they are able to work with their staff to assist the patient to undergo surgery and go home the same day, assuming that everything has gone smoothly. Their physicians, advanced practice nurses (APNs), and staff also see many patients on an outpatient basis as they progress before and after surgery. When their office suite was designed, the comfort and safety needs of their bariatric patient population were taken into account to ensure that their facility would meet the needs of not only their staff, but their patients.

For their surgical partners, all facilities do have protocol and safety measures in place to ensure that patients are moved safely and efficiently when and if needed. All of the facilities are equipped with the appropriate equipment for bariatric patients, including bariatric gurneys, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and lift bars. Employees go through an intensive two-week training program with their immediate supervisor upon hire and have access to additional training with other team members as deemed necessary. All new employees also receive an employee handbook upon starting, along with written protocols for office procedures.

As anyone trying to run a busy physician practice can tell you, employee retention and motivation are keys to the success of the practice. The cost of recruiting and training a new employee is tremendous, so keeping the talent that you already have in place is vital. Western Bariatric Institute offers employees an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, and all employees receive 10 paid holiday days per year, in addition to 10 paid days off per year. Employees are also encouraged to further their career within the organization via continuing education courses and job transfer opportunities. Once an employee has been with their organization for more than three months, the employee is eligible to apply for another internal position. Job openings are always posted to internal team members prior to looking outside of the organization to fill the position. Concerning continuing education, employees are encouraged to discuss with their supervisor any educational seminars that they are interested in attending and review how it would be beneficial to the employee and the organization. Another unique strategy for their organization is their dedication to the personal care of their patients. All employees in their organization have performance evaluations annually to determine if they are meeting the objectives of their positions. This review is conducted by the employee’s supervisor after receiving feedback from other office staff and the surgeons.

They believe that they provide their patients with extensive tools and guides for success both preoperatively and postoperatively. The patient education program begins for many of their patients prior to even meeting staff or attending one of their seminars. Prior to seeing a patient interested in bariatric surgery, they require that they attend one of their free seminars that are held at least twice per month. They typically see anywhere from 70 to 75 patients at each of these seminars and use this forum to educate them about the two surgical procedures that they perform. During their seminar, they discuss with attendees the pros and cons of each surgery and provide time for patient questions and answers. The next educational tool they provide to patients comes in the form of preoperative surgical classes held about 1 to 2 weeks prior to the patient’s surgery date. These classes are taught by one of their APNs and their nutritionist, and provide last minute guidance for patients as they prepare for surgery. During this class, patients are advised on such things as what to take to the hospital, what to expect during preoperative preparation, what to expect when they wake up, and how to handle the first few weeks after surgery. This class is also an opportunity to remind patients one last time prior to surgery that weight loss surgery is a tool, and is not an end-all fix for obesity. It is stressed throughout the class that the patients themselves hold the key to success according to how compliant they are with the guidelines provided for after surgery. Their nutritionist also is an integral piece of this training, and she discusses with patients how to handle food after weight loss surgery. For many, there is fear about what they can or cannot eat after surgery, and their nutritionist provides insight on what to expect and how to establish positive eating habits. These classes are also a great opportunity for their patients to receive some personal guidance from their team prior to surgery. Beyond these classes, Western Bariatric Institute also offers monthly classes on the nutritional and dietary needs of the bariatric patient. For many patients, they feel extremely successful immediately after surgery when the weight often “drops” off. Once they hit a plateau though, or are not being aware of what they are eating, they can feel frustrated or defeated. Because of that, their dietitian teaches classes on how to eat. They also brought bariatric chef Dave Fouts to their center for two cooking demonstrations in September, 2006, to provide extra support to their patients.

In the Reno/Sparks area (the metropolitan area surrounding their practice), they have four monthly support groups-some falling on weeknights and some on weekends to accommodate all of their patients’ schedules. They provide quarterly trainings for their support group leader facilitators and are ready and able to assist them should any questions or concerns arise. They try to have a guest speaker present at all support group meetings to help promote conversation, but also sometimes allow for basic patient question and answer time. There are many outlying areas that feed into their clinic and because of that, they also have six other support groups that …

Dr. Kent Sasse of Nevada Surgical

Dr. Kent Sasse is a board-certified surgeon with 25+ years of experience in minimally invasive and bariatric procedures. Patients consistently praise his expertise, compassionate care, and ability to explain procedures thoroughly. Many patients express gratitude for his life-changing results and the support they receive from him and his staff.

Patient Testimonials Highlight:

Exceptional Surgical Skills: Patients describe Dr. Sasse as an "amazing surgeon" with "amazing surgical skills and expertise."
Compassionate and Caring: Many reviewers emphasize Dr. Sasse's caring nature and his ability to make patients feel comfortable and heard.
Knowledgeable and Explanatory: Patients appreciate Dr. Sasse taking the time to answer their questions and explain procedures in detail.
Life-Changing Results: Numerous patients report significant weight loss and improved quality of life following surgery with Dr. Sasse.
Supportive Staff: While some past reviews mentioned issues with front desk staff, more recent feedback suggests improvements and overall satisfaction with the team.
Commitment to Patient Well-being: Patients express trust in Dr. Sasse and his dedication to their well-being, with some stating he has "saved my life."

tags: #weight #loss #surgery #Reno #Nevada