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Question: How much excess skin will I have after surgery?
Answer:It varies, but most patients who experience substantial weight loss will have some extra skin. Exercising to tone muscles will help to some degree. Removal of the extra skin is usually considered cosmetic, and coverage depends on your insurance policy. We recommend you first reach your weight loss goal and then undergo surgery to remove your excess skin, if desired.
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Question: How rapid is weight loss after bariatric surgery?
Answer:Weight-loss surgery is incredibly life-changing, and post-bariatric surgery results are wonderful for many people. Most patients will lose about 65% of their excess weight in 18 months (one and a half years), and most of the weight comes off in the first year. About 75% of people can successfully lose weight and keep it off long-term.
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Question: How long do bariatric procedures take?
Answer:The bariatric surgery process and average procedure time vary on multiple factors, like the type of surgery. For example, a gastric bypass procedure usually takes about two hours, and a gastric sleeve procedure may take an hour and a half.
Before your surgery, your care team will be sure to go over all the details of your procedure, including how long you’ll be in the operating room, so all your specific questions are answered.
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Question: What are some bariatric surgery risks?
Answer:All surgical procedures come with risks, but for most patients, the lasting benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh the risks. Some of the main risks of bariatric surgery include:
- Acid reflux
- Anesthesia-related risks
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Dilation of esophagus
- Inability to eat certain foods
- Infection
- Obstruction of the stomach
- Weight regain
Other risks may include:
Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome is actually an adrenaline rush caused by too many carbohydrates entering the intestine too quickly. Symptoms are palpitations, sweating and a weak-in-the-knees feeling. About one-quarter of patients who receive a gastric bypass will experience this. This condition is unusual with the gastric sleeve.Blood Clots (Rare)
Very few surgical weight-loss patients develop blood clots. Less than 1% of all surgical patients in the U.S. encounter this issue. The bariatric team is very proactive in preventing blood clots. You are given blood thinners during surgery and after. You also use a compression device and ambulate every two hours while in the hospital and at home. -
Question: What is the cost of bariatric surgery, and will my insurance cover it?
Answer:The coverage related to bariatric surgery depends on the type of coverage your insurance plan provides. Our care coordinators will help you communicate with your insurance company to understand what coverage your plan requires and provides.
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Question: Which bariatric surgery procedure is right for me?
Answer:The best weight-loss procedure for you will be determined at your consult visit when you sit down with your bariatric surgeon. The decision is based on various factors, like:
- Any health conditions (like diabetes or GERD)
- Any previous attempts at weight loss
- Your BMI
- Your health history overall
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Question: What are the bariatric surgery requirements?
Answer:There are certain criteria for bariatric surgery. You may be a candidate if you:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 65
- Are not dependent on drugs or alcohol
- Are ready and willing to commit to a new lifestyle
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
- Have a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnea
- Have tried to lose weight through other means, such as diet and exercise
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Question: Having Technical Issues?
Answer:If you are running into issues with your browser, click here for instructions on how to clear your internet cache. If you continue to have issues, please contact Rx Plus Pharmacy via email at [email protected] or via phone at Call1-866-943-4535.
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Question: Prescription Plan Design
Answer:Your prescription plan does include a few requirements to ensure you receive the appropriate prescriptions safely and at the best cost.
More InfoGeneric Medication
A penalty may be applied if your physician chooses for you to receive a brand-name drug when a generic is available. Generic medications should be considered the first-line approach in therapy.
Using Local Pharmacies
You can fill your first 30-day prescription at your local pharmacy. After this time, you must use Rx Plus for refills. Otherwise, your fill will be denied at the local pharmacy.
Controlled Substances
Controlled substances and Schedule II (CII) medications can be filled at the local pharmacy for up to a 90-day supply and are not required to go through Rx Plus Pharmacy.
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Question: What laws protect my health and privacy?
Answer:AdventHealth Rx Plus Pharmacy follows several laws to ensure we safely and confidentially fill your prescription. These include, but are not limited to, the following regulations.
More InfoFaxed Prescriptions
We can only accept faxed prescriptions from your physician’s office with a cover sheet.
We cannot accept faxed prescriptions for certain types of medicine, including narcotics. The original written prescription must be mailed to us.
Valid Dates
Prescriptions are only valid for one year from the date the prescription was written by the physician, even if there are refills remaining.
Prescriptions for narcotics are only valid for six months from the date the prescription was written, even if there are refills remaining.
Returned Medication
Medications cannot be returned to the pharmacy unless the entire package has not been opened.
Generic Medication
In the state of Florida, it is the law that a pharmacy must dispense a generic drug in place of a brand-name drug, whenever one is available. This law is in place to ensure that the customer or health plan is paying for the least expensive option.
If a physician decides that they would prefer that a pharmacy dispense a brand-name drug instead of the available generic one, “medically necessary” must be written on the prescription. The physician cannot write “dispense brand,” “no substitution,” “DAW,” or “dispense as written.” The pharmacy, by law, is still required to dispense the generic drug unless “medically necessary” is included on the prescription.