Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery has unique demands associated with preparation and recovery, which can be stressful and present challenges for both patients and their caretakers. The Mount Sinai Bariatric Surgery Program provides a coordinated plan of care to support UNITE HERE HEALTH patients throughout the surgical experience.
Program benefits include:
- Access to our best bariatric surgeons
- No co-pays on your day of surgery and for specific related care up to 30 days after leaving the hospital
- Personal Care Guide to navigate you from start to finish
- Free transportation to and from the hospital on your surgery day
- Free grocery delivery to your home to make your recovery easier
- Pre- and post-operative support groups
- Protein shake gift certificates when you attend post-surgery weight loss support groups
Your Personal Care Team
You will be assigned a dedicated Care Guide to support you throughout the pre-surgical, surgical and recovery process. Your Care Guide will meet with you at various points throughout your journey to answer questions, provide guidance, and support recovery.
Your Patient Journey
Our goal is to not only help you reach a healthy and sustainable weight, but also to ensure your entire surgical experience is positive and successful.
Education and Surgical Clearance
After you meet with a surgeon and begin preparing for surgery, you will need to have certain tests performed to get clearances from health care professionals. Consultations include but are not limited to visits with a nutritionist, psychiatrist or psychologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist and/or pulmonologist to determine physical and mental readiness.
You can expect the time between your first consultation and your surgery date to be at least six months if you begin the process.
Support Groups
Pre-operative support groups are a free resource for anyone considering weight loss surgery. Family members and significant others are encouraged to attend as well.
It is helpful to have the support of friends and family as you consider weight loss surgery and it is encouraged you bring someone with you to your initial consultation. Discussing your feelings and goals regarding surgery with this person—and involving them in your recovery—may help you make decisions more comfortably along the way.
Your Hospital Stay
On the day of your surgery, a car service can be made available to you free of charge via Lyft. When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to the registration desk. After surgery, you will be closely monitored in the recovery room, also called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Patients usually remain in the recovery room for a few hours. Once you recover from the anesthesia, you will be transferred to your room.
Leaving the Hospital
You can expect to leave the hospital the next day. Again, a car service can be made available to you free of charge. After you’ve returned home, you will receive a call from your Care Guide within 72 hours to ensure that appropriate services are in place, you and your family’s needs are met, and all questions are answered.
Recovery at Home and Ongoing Support
After surgery, you will be expected to follow a specific post-surgical diet that is crucial to your recovery and overall success. As such, it is imperative that you follow up with your surgical team and nutritionist after surgery. There are typical follow-up milestone appointments with your surgeon and nutritionist that you will be expected to keep at weeks one and five, and then at months three, six, and 12.