A Step-by-Step Guide to Surgical Weight Loss

In order to guide you through your weight loss experience, Dr. Ricks and support staff are specially trained to help you through all of the steps in the process.

Step 1: Bariatric Seminar.

  • Attend a free seminar with Dr. Ricks, a board certified Bariatric surgeon.

  • Learn about the types of surgeries available.

  • learn about the lifestyle and nutrition requirements.

  • Receive a new patient packet to fill out.

  • Bring your insurance ID card with you to the seminar in order to begin weighing your financial responsibilities.

Step 2: Insurance

  • Speak with the Insurance Verifier about your benefits.
  • Contact from insurance verifier with your specific benefits & the steps you will need to complete in order to be approved for bariatric surgery.
  • Schedule an appointment

Step 3: Appointments.

  • Gather health and diet history forms for this first appointment.
  • Decide together if Bariatric surgery is the right choice for you and if so what type.
  • See a dietician, have a psychological evaluation, blood work, EKG and chest x-ray before surgery.

Step 4: Insurance Pre-Surgery Requirements.

  • Complete all insurance pre-surgery requirements (ie... 3 or 6 months of medically supervised weight loss.

  • Recieve a recommendation for either a Doctor & Dietician or a dietician only or you can choose your own.

  • Finishing the process can take up to 90 days, even without medically supervised weight loss.

Step 5: Insurance Company Approval.

  • Send your case to your insurance company for final approval.
  • Receive the news if you have been approved for surgery.
  • Schedule your surgery.

Step 6: Surgery & Pre-op Class.

  • Attend a mandatory pre-op education class taught by a dietician and a nurse a week or so before surgery, you will need to attend.

  • Learn about vitamins, diet progression, pain management, lifestyle changes and exercise.

  • Schedule the surgeon's pre-op class for you and a guest which is offered twice a week.

Step 7: Day of Surgery.

  • Receive advanced notice about if you will or will not be spending the night in the hospital and for how long.

  • Enjoy a private room at Des Peres Hospital with a guest accompanying you.

  • Keep in mind the surgeon will have you up and walking just hours after surgery!

Step 8: Follow up.

  • Follow up with to your surgeon and team at one week post-surgery, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and at one year.

  • Follow up with laparoscopic gastric band procedure will likely be more frequent.

  • Call our dieticians and nurses anytime with questions or concerns.

Step 9: Classes & Support Groups

  • Attend a biweekly class/support group, lead by a dietician and a registered social worker.

  • Stay hydrated, exercise, see your dietician or psychologist as needed.