Bariatric Medicine & Weight Management

Bariatric services provide comprehensive surgical and medical (non-surgical) weight loss programs for individuals who have significant overweight or clinically obese conditions (Body Mass Index over 30).

For the best understanding of the program offerings, all patients are required to receive program education by attending one of our seminars (online or virtual). One of our surgeons and the director of Program Services present valuable information, followed by a question and answer session. If you cannot attend a virtual session, an abbreviated pre-recorded seminar is available here.

You can schedule a consultation appointment with one of our surgeons to determine the appropriateness of surgery. However, due to individual insurance requirements, all patients need to attend a number of consecutive monthly pre-surgical appointments with the Bariatric Services bariatrician who will medically prepare you for surgery. These are insurance and program requirements.

It is best to contact your insurance carrier and ask if you have bariatric surgical plan coverage and if so, the terms of that coverage. Most plans require between three to seven consecutive months of pre-surgical preparation including lab tests, EKG, chest x-ray, negative nicotine test, mental health clearance and more. Powers Health Bariatric Services offer the gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and SADI-S surgeries.

After you verify your benefits, as well as verify that Powers Health (Community Hospital or St. Mary Medical Center) is in-network, then most likely all medical services including labs, surgery, medical tests are covered. However, any co-pays, co-insurances or deductibles are the financial responsibility of the patient. Additionally, there are a few out of pocket charges that are not covered by insurance. Patients are required to pay (cash, credit card, Health Savings Accounts or Flex Savings Accounts) for the non-insurance billed program services, pre-surgical meal replacements and pre-surgical educational class. These costs are explained at our seminar.

We offer a convenient voucher and financing program through MDSave (MDSave.com)* MDSave vouchers work at both St. Mary Medical Center and Community Hospital. Financing is available through Care Credit on their website. This program is an independent program and it is not part of the Bariatric Services service line. The MDSave program voucher covers bariatric surgery and the Non-Insurance Billed program fees.

Patients requiring additional care with extended length of stay may receive additional bills not covered by the surgical voucher.

Surgical Program - $200 covers All Dietitian and Bariatric Nurse visits (for up to two year after surgery), as well as E-Newsletters/Recipes and Monthly Support Groups. A Pre-Surgical Class (three hours) a few weeks before surgery costs $50. Required Pre-Surgical Meal Replacements – two weeks (42 meals) before surgery - $150

The medical (non-surgical) weight loss program is a physician led weight loss program that offers the following options: Option 1 = “Physician Only.” The medical weight loss program is led by the bariatrician (weight loss physician) who provides the initial 30-minute consultation to the patient. At that appointment, the physician gathers extensive medical history and weight loss/weight gain information. It is vital that the physician understands a patient’s weight loss history and current weight loss struggles. The physician may order tests or labs in order to assist in finding medical solutions to assist with weight loss. Weight loss medications may be offered if medically indicated. (Insurance authorization required)

Depending on medical appropriateness and insurance prescription coverages, patients may be prescribed medications for weight loss, if desired/indicated.

Follow-up appointments are individualized and based on patient need. Some patients require monthly follow-ups for best results, whereas others may return every five to six weeks.

Yes, all physician visits (as well as labs and tests) are billed to the patient’s insurance. All patients should verify that Powers Health (Community Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center) are in-network. Any/all co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, and any unpaid/uncovered amounts are each patient’s responsibility.

Yes, for patients interested in jumpstarting or helping to maintain their weight loss, Powers Health Bariatric Services offer New Direction® meal replacement products. The meal replacements (i.e. shakes, puddings, soups) are available for purchase at the Bariatric Services office and are prescribed by either the physician, surgeon, dietitian or nurse. The New Direction meal replacement program is a medical-grade weight loss program and is ONLY available to Bariatric Services patients.

Powers Health Bariatric Services offers a six-week program entitled “SIX WEEKS TO SUCCESS” ($39 out of pocket cost/not billable to insurance)

Patients can select from one of the eating plans below:

Intermittent Fasting Plans

Tailor your eating schedule to fit your lifestyle with an Intermittent Fasting program.

Choose between the following intermittent fasting plans:

• The 14/10 (14 hours of fasting/10 hours of eating) 
• The 16/8 (16 hours of fasting/8 hours of eating) plan

Our weight loss dietitian will calculate the estimated calories, protein, fat, and carbs for the eating portion of your day.

Counting Macros Plan

Personalize your weight loss journey with our Counting Macros program. 

Counting macros involves breaking down your caloric intake into individual macronutrients—carbs, protein and fats. Each person's needs will be individually calculated and will be unique based on their activity level, gender, weight, age and medical conditions. 

Weekly Emails

Patients in the SIX WEEKS TO SUCCESS program receive a weekly email that includes recipes, motivational tips and behavior change action steps, as well as an ‘at-home’ weigh in.