Share
As you probably know, if you are a North Carolina State Health Plan member or a relative, you may be eligible for no-cost bariatric surgery if you qualify. More broadly, qualification is considered for patients with obesity and its related metabolic diseases. However, as some of the most experienced bariatric surgeons in the Carolinas and the country, it’s our job to ensure you understand that bariatric surgery is not just a quick fix, nor should it be taken lightly, even if there are no out-of-pocket expenses. To that, we like to say that no-cost does not mean free. There’s a lot of work you must do to be successful.
What we’ll talk about before surgery
Typically, bariatric surgery is reserved for patients who have tried and failed other weight-loss modalities, including improved diet and exercise, as well as the latest GLP-1 medications indicated for weight loss. Typically, these are patients with a BMI of 40 or higher, and though they may have lost significant weight, they either have not lost enough, have not been able to sustain that weight over the long term, or the medications’ side effects made it impossible to continue. Ultimately, bariatric surgery fills that void, giving them an option for sustained weight loss, conceivably for the rest of their lives.
During our first consultation, we will discuss more than just weight loss, expectations, and goals. We will discuss why you have decided to have bariatric surgery, to ultimately help us determine that you’re ready and doing it for the right reasons. If a quick fix or the enticement of no-cost surgery is what’s driving you, unfortunately, that’s not a reason to have surgery. We are looking for patients who are ready to change their lives and who are willing and able to dedicate themselves to lifestyle change for the rest of their lives.
Why does this matter?
First and foremost, dedicating oneself to a new and improved lifestyle means the surgical procedure will be more successful, with patients achieving greater weight loss and disease resolution. If patients are not ready and willing to commit to this new lifestyle, they’re less likely to meet their success benchmarks. And if they ever do come back for a revision after regaining weight, that revision will be somewhat riskier. Why take on that risk in the future when long-term results can be supported now?
It’s also important to remember that our role as bariatric surgeons in the care of every one of our patients goes far beyond the surgical procedure. Once surgery is over, we continue to commit to each of them, promising them access to our practice, standing by them during postoperative life as part of their support system, and being there to guide them with answers to any of the questions they may have about their surgery and post-procedure life. In other words, this is a mutual commitment and a process that will only work if we are in sync.
Belief in the surgical outcomes.
Almost as importantly as the above, we all have a responsibility to show other patients, our state government, other states, and even the federal government that bariatric surgery works. In fact, we know that bariatric surgery is the safest and best option for addressing and ultimately treating morbid obesity. However, confidence in these procedures can and will erode if patients see North Carolina’s groundbreaking program as a cheap-shot/quick-fix at potential success. In other words, we want this program to remain funded and help as many patients as possible, here and beyond.
The bottom line
For all of those who can benefit from the bariatric surgery program rolled out by Lantern and the State Health Plan of North Carolina, we ask that as you weigh your options and reach out to learn more about the program. With this unique and generous funding, truly look beyond the financial “cost” — decide whether you’re ready for this lifelong lifestyle change and the commitment required to see it to its fullest potential. Surgical intervention is complex, and there are many variables and potential outcomes that can only be discussed in a medical setting. To that end, if you are on the fence and not quite sure, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our providers. Visiting us for a consultation is not a commitment to surgery, but it may help you understand whether surgery is the best option for you.
We look forward to helping you on your upcoming weight loss journey.