You’ll meet with Dr. Ponce’s bariatric team to discuss your health, weight loss goals, and potential surgical options. We will review your medical history, perform an initial physical assessment, and discuss your expectations and lifestyle changes required.

Comprehensive health assessment and patient education.

You’ll undergo specific health screenings, including blood tests, heart evaluations, and psychological assessments if necessary. Our dietitian and support team will guide you on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes to help you prepare for surgery.

If your insurance covers bariatric surgery, we will work with your insurance provider to secure approval for your procedure. Our administrative team will handle the paperwork and keep you informed about any requirements or documents needed. It may require 3-6 months to complete the insurance required items (visits with dietitian, psychology assessment, exercise goals, letter of medical necessity from your primary care physician, etc.). We will help you to complete all required items.

If you don’t have insurance coverage for bariatric surgery and are proceeding with our self-pay option, we can jump into Step 4

Final steps and preparation before surgery.

You will meet with Dr. Ponce for final evaluation and questions.
About 2 weeks before surgery, you’ll follow a specialized diet to reduce liver size and enhance safety during the procedure.
You will get labs required for your surgery

Undergo the planned bariatric surgery.

On the day of surgery, you’ll be admitted to the hospital. The procedure generally takes 1 hour. Afterward, you’ll be taken to the recovery room, and our team will monitor you to ensure a smooth recovery.

Initial recovery and monitoring.

Most patients stay in the hospital for 1 day, depending on the surgery type and individual recovery. During this time, our team will monitor your progress and help manage any discomfort. You’ll begin a clear liquid diet and gradually increase to soft foods as recommended.

Transition back to daily life with lifestyle changes.

During this period, you’ll have follow-up appointments with our team to monitor your recovery, assess healing, and guide your nutrition. You’ll transition through a diet from liquids to soft foods under the guidance of our dietitian.

Ongoing care and support for optimal results.

Regular follow-ups will be scheduled at 1week, 1 month, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and then yearly to monitor your progress, address any concerns, and ensure you are losing weight safely. Our dietitian, nurse practitioner, and psychologist are available for continued support with nutrition, exercise, and mental health.

Establish healthy habits for lifelong weight management.

As you adjust to your new lifestyle, our team will be here for ongoing support. Attend our support groups, scheduled follow-up visits, and stay connected with our team for any help you need on your weight loss journey.

Celebrate milestones in weight loss, improved health and quality of life.