Preparing for Your Bariatric Surgery

Deciding to undergo bariatric surgery is not easy. After all, it’s not your typical surgery. It can change your life significantly! And even after deciding to go through with weight loss surgery, the process may still be confusing. 

We understand how overwhelming it can be for patients. This is why at New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville, TN, we provide resources to help you determine if you’re a qualified candidate and which weight loss option suits you best.

Here’s the process that we follow here at New Life:

Step 1. Speak with a Patient Advocate

We have a dedicated Patient Advocate who will work with you to help you understand the process of bariatric surgery. She will verify your insurance coverage, benefits, and help you start meeting any criteria required by your insurance plan for weight loss surgery approval.

If you have any questions about the pathway to surgery and about our facilities, our Patient Advocate can assist you with those. 

Step 2. Attend or view online our FREE Bariatric Information Seminar

This FREE informational seminar aims to help you understand the risks, benefits, and commitment involved in weight loss surgery. Attending or viewing this seminar can help you make a more informed decision. 

You can register for the Bariatric Information Seminar here.

Step 3. Fill out New Patient paperwork

We make it easy for you by creating a page for all the forms you need to fill out. Please print and complete the form and bring them with you to your first appointment.

Step 4. Schedule a Surgical Consultation
During this surgical consultation, you will meet Dr. Robert Williams who will discuss every surgical option along with the risks and benefits.

Step 5. Obtain Insurance Approval
At New Life, we have an insurance specialist who will identify specific requirements for you. Our specialist will also make sure that you have everything you need for insurance approval.

Step 6. Attend Pre-Operative Educational Class

We offer monthly medically supervised diet classes to help meet certain insurance requirements. Our Pre-Op Educational Class goes beyond diet counseling. We help our patients learn to adjust to necessary lifestyle changes in areas like physical activity, stress management, and more.

Step 7. Final Preoperative Evaluation
Two weeks before your scheduled surgery, you will return to the New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery for your final preoperative evaluation. 

Our Bariatric Surgery nurse will review the preparation and requirements needed for the procedure. You will also undergo a physical exam and sign your operative permit. 

During this evaluation, you will also meet our Exercise Physiologist who will develop a plan of activities you can use in the immediate postoperative period.

Step 8. Surgery Day

It’s the big day, and we know you are filled with excitement and nervousness. Don’t stress–we have a competent and well-experienced team who will make sure you have a safe and successful procedure.

Step 9. Follow-Up Visits

The team at New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery is committed to helping you adjust to life after bariatric surgery. Our routine follow-up visits are performed at two weeks, four weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and annually for life. 

To learn more, visit our Get Started page here. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at (865) 694-9676.

 New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery is part of Premier Surgical Bariatrics in Knoxville, Tennessee. New Life is affiliated with the Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery, part of Covenant Health Bariatric Services.