LapSleeve FAQ | Stomach Sleeve Gastrectomy | Puget Sound Surgical Center | Seattle Weight Loss Surgery and Bariatric Experts


	LapSleeve FAQ's Does my insurance cover this? At this time most insurance plans do not cover the LapSleeve^SM. This may change in the future, but this change will take time. For example, the LapBand was approved by the FDA in 2001, but some insurance companies in Washington State did not cover this procedure until 2007. Is this a well recognized procedure for the primary treatment of obesity? The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery does recognize this as a primary treatment for obesity. Initial studies suggest the weight loss will be comparable to other currently available procedures. How much weight can I lose with this procedure? It depends how much weight you need to lose. In patients with BMIs less than 40, many are losing close to all of their excess weight. Patients with a BMI over 60 may lose 60% or more of their excess weight. If you are able to lose 50% of your excess weight we consider that successful. An average result is 70-80% excess weight loss. Most of that is seen in the first six to twelve months after surgery. What serious complications can occur? Fortunately major complications are rare. For example, the risk of a staple line leak is serious, but occurs less than one percent of the time. Infection may occur 2%. Serious bleeding or infection is also less than one percent. What if I need a hospital? Puget Sound Surgical Center is located near the hospital if necessary. To date, we have not needed to transfer any pateint to the hospital. What are the long-term results? The short term results have shown on average 70-80% excess weight loss at 3 years. Long-term results are not well known, but data is being collected. Initial results are quite favorable for durable weight loss. Variations in technique, patient selection and follow up will affect results in varying centers. We have been performing the sleeve gastrectomy for almost two years and our data matches other centers showing close to 80% excess weight loss. Most of the weight loss is seen in the first year. How do you take care of patients from outside your immediate area? Our patients come from all over the Pacific Northwest as well as internationally. Patients who travel are asked to spend one to two nights locally before returning home. Also, long-term follow up is important for safety and success. This involves quarterly visits with the surgeon and monthly with the nutritionist. When necessary, we can convey follow up via the telephone. For our Canadian patients we are conveniently located in our clinic in Bellingham, Washington. How much does it cost? Our rates are competitive. We expect the service you receive from PSSC will meet or exceed your expectations. The cost may vary depending on your past medical history and your weight loss goals. Please call to find out our current pricing.

Does my insurance cover this?
At this time most insurance plans do not cover the LapSleeve^SM. This may change in the future, but this change will take time. For example, the LapBand was approved by the FDA in 2001, but some insurance companies in Washington State did not cover this procedure until 2007.
Is this a well recognized procedure for the primary treatment of obesity?
The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery does recognize this as a primary treatment for obesity. Initial studies suggest the weight loss will be comparable to other currently available procedures.
How much weight can I lose with this procedure?
It depends how much weight you need to lose. In patients with BMIs less than 40, many are losing close to all of their excess weight. Patients with a BMI over 60 may lose 60% or more of their excess weight. If you are able to lose 50% of your excess weight we consider that successful. An average result is 70-80% excess weight loss. Most of that is seen in the first six to twelve months after surgery.
What serious complications can occur?
Fortunately major complications are rare. For example, the risk of a staple line leak is serious, but occurs less than one percent of the time. Infection may occur 2%. Serious bleeding or infection is also less than one percent.
What if I need a hospital?
Puget Sound Surgical Center is located near the hospital if necessary. To date, we have not needed to transfer any pateint to the hospital.
What are the long-term results?
The short term results have shown on average 70-80% excess weight loss at 3 years. Long-term results are not well known, but data is being collected. Initial results are quite favorable for durable weight loss. Variations in technique, patient selection and follow up will affect results in varying centers. We have been performing the sleeve gastrectomy for almost two years and our data matches other centers showing close to 80% excess weight loss. Most of the weight loss is seen in the first year.
How do you take care of patients from outside your immediate area?
Our patients come from all over the Pacific Northwest as well as internationally. Patients who travel are asked to spend one to two nights locally before returning home. Also, long-term follow up is important for safety and success. This involves quarterly visits with the surgeon and monthly with the nutritionist. When necessary, we can convey follow up via the telephone. For our Canadian patients we are conveniently located in our clinic in Bellingham, Washington.
How much does it cost?
Our rates are competitive. We expect the service you receive from PSSC will meet or exceed your expectations. The cost may vary depending on your past medical history and your weight loss goals. Please call to find out our current pricing.

LapSleeve FAQ's