Navigating the Process

---

Insurance Coverage

Does your insurance cover bariatric surgery? Submit a free insurance check or contact your insurance company directly to verify your benefits.

Important details if speaking to your health insurance carrier:

• CPT codes for insurance:
  • Sleeve gastrectomy 43775
  • Roux-en-Y gastric bypass 43644
  • SADI-S 43775 and 44238
  • Duodenal switch 43845
• Verify that Lutheran Hospital is a preferred provider and is in-network.
• Ask your insurance company what criteria you must meet for approval. (ie: Do you have to complete a medically supervised weight-loss program? If so, for how long? Do you need a nutritional evaluation?)
• Ask your insurance company your deductible amount and/or out-of-pocket maximum.

If your insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, please call us at (260) 425-2800 to discuss prices.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is a key component to successful weight loss following bariatric surgery. Eating the correct foods, in the correct amounts will not only help a patient lose weight, it will also contribute to overall good health and well-being. The Lutheran Bariatric Center's registered dietitians are part of the team that cares for you every step of the way.

Protein is the only macronutrient that the body cannot manufacture and produce from "scratch." Therefore, protein must be obtained from an outside source. To be more specific, the nine essential amino acids that are the building blocks to protein need to be obtained from food.

With only a small amount of space in the new stomach, patients are advised to put in only what is most nutritious and will contribute to overall good health and well-being. Patients will work with a registered dietitian who calculates and provides each patient with a personalized protein goal.

It is important to remember that muscle equals metabolism. A substantial loss of muscle results in a significant decrease in metabolism, and subsequently, may prevent a patient from reaching his or her ideal weight.

Nutrition classes will dramatically improve your ability to achieve overall success. We provide a tremendous amount of information regarding what and how you are supposed to eat before surgery and for the rest of your life. Registered dietitians will be your conscience while you adjust to your new life. The nutrition classes also allow patients to share with each other and gather advice from the dietitians.

Exercise

Understanding your lifestyle will play an important part in determining your fitness program. An exercise physiologist works with each patient individually to develop an exercise program tailored to each patient's unique needs.

The team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians pay close attention to your overall health pre- and post-surgery to ensure that you can safely begin a regular exercise program, and they will help you remain focused on your goals.