The University of Iowa Obesity Surgery program has been designated as a United Resource Networks (URN) Bariatric Center of Excellence indicating it meets or exceeds nationally recognized standards of care for bariatric weight loss surgery. It is the only center in Iowa to have received this designation. The program is already recognized as an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Center of Excellence and a Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.
Debi Heitshusen RN, BSN, baratric surgery center coordinator, talks about bariatric surgery:
How is a bariatric center awarded the URN and ASMBS designations for a center of excellence?
A center of excellence means that University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics can accept almost any patient interested in bariatric surgery. And more importantly, it ensures both the patient and the insurance companies that our complication rate is low and that our outcomes are equal to or exceed the national standards.
What does it mean to The University of Iowa to have these accreditations attached to their bariatric program?
It means that by being designated as a center of excellence and meeting insurance companies’ recommendations, we can accept any patient interested in our program. Even Medicare said all Medicare patients need to go to a center of excellence.
Who makes up the bariatric team at UI Hospitals and Clinics?
We have two surgeons—Isaac Samuel, MD, and Mohammad Jamal, MD—doing strictly all bariatric laproscopic surgery. They have been doing this surgery for quite some time, and have 600 cases under their belts to date. We also have a bariatric fellow, bariatric physician assistant, bariatric nurse, and a bariatric dietitian. We feel that using the multidisciplinary approach really gives a patient an overall good teaching pre- and postoperatively.
Why is it important to have a team of physicians, nurses, dietitians, and counselors included in every patient’s care?
Everybody has their job. Surgeons do the surgery. The PA and I do more with the teaching. We feel we have such good outcomes here because we do an excellent job teaching. We help patients understand what they need to do to prepare their body for surgery and why they have to change behaviors in order to achieve good outcomes after surgery. They can start practicing even before the surgery, so once the surgery’s complete, they do what they’ve learned and continue with that and usually have wonderful outcomes.
Who qualifies for bariatric weight loss surgery?
Any patient who has a body mass index—a measure of body fat based on height and weight—of a 35 or greater, with some co-morbidities as set by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. A patient who has a BMI of over 40 doesn’t need co-morbidities to be approved for surgery.
When a person comes in for that first visit in the UI Obesity Surgery program, what happens?
We have a lengthy consultation where we get their weight, height, extensive history and do a thorough physical. The first visit includes education and recommendations of what we want the patient to start working on for behavior modifications associated with the surgery.
The dietitian will have a lengthy session, teaching them about making good food choices and explaining parts about the surgery. After that, they meet with the surgeon and go over the benefits and risks. Patients are given a period of behavior modification where they see if they’re able to make the changes necessary for success after the surgery. Then they come back for one visit and we proceed with insurance authorization.
From the first appointment, through surgery and follow-up—typically how long does the process take?
Usually it takes about two months from the first visit that we see you. We allow time for behavior modification. Then we send everything to the insurance company to be pre approved, and that usually can take anywhere from two to four weeks. So about two months from the start date they can expect to have surgery.
How long are patients followed in the clinic?
We offer lifelong follow up The University of Iowa and we highly encourage that people take advantage of it. We also have an open-door policy where our patients can call or e-mail us any time. We always return our phone calls and e-mails.
If someone wanted to learn more, or schedule an appointment, how would they go about doing that?
You can call our office for more information at 319-356-1887. |
