Getting started
Our goal is to continuously improve our process of care in order to have the most successful immediate surgical experience and long-term success. There are both immediate and future ramifications to the surgical treatment of obesity. Our research has shown that by using an extensive preparation process, our patients are better informed and are better able to cope with and enjoy the changes that accompany substantial weight loss.

Patients may initially contact The Regional Center for Bariatric Surgery (RCBS) through a variety of methods including Web, E-mail, telephone, letter, or a direct interview. The patient will then be referred to additional information about the mini-gastric bypass procedure, associated risks, morbid obesity, other kinds of weight loss surgery, etc.

Before proceeding any further, please note: We do not accept patients who are covered by Medicare of Medicaid, including those on disability, due to compliance risks associated with those programs and their coverage of gastric bypass surgery. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover our procedure. Although some patients could and would pay for our procedure, many would still decide to file under their Medicare/Medicaid coverage. This would put our program in violation of the Medicare/Medicaid regulations and could jeopardize our bariatric program. It was decided that for the safety of our program, hospital and physicians, that we not accept patients covered by these programs.

Our preoperative and postoperative processes are complex and demanding because:

• We are committed to excellence in pre- and post-education and quality
   patient care.
• To help assist the patient, family local physician and the surgeon with    selection of best surgical or nonsurgical therapy.
• Help in the selection of the best patient candidates for laparoscopic    surgical treatment.
• To help long distance and local patients get the best possible
   patient care.
• To educate and inform the local and referring medical physician in the    postoperative follow-up and care. To systematize our medical care and
   therefore improve the quality of our outcomes.


Steps to Get Started
The steps required to undergo MGB are outlined below:

1.   Read the selection guidelines
2.   Join the MGB Forum
3.   Send in patient information
4.   Complete patient education and read the manual
5.   Get support letter and exam from your referring doctor
6.   Write your patient letter
7.   Get psychological evaluation
8.   Contact 10 previous patients
9.   Provide photographs of yourself
10. Have your family write a detailed support letter - must be notarized
11. Preoperative clinic visit
12. Read and complete consent form

After these steps are completed, you can be scheduled for surgery on the next available date, which is typically two to three weeks. There is no additional waiting period once you have been approved for surgery.

We want you to be in the best possible health prior to surgery. It will make your surgery safer and improve your chances for a better surgical outcome, and a better overall experience for you. You will be provided with pre- and post-operative instructions.

More information about the process, procedure, other bariatric surgeries and other subjects can be found in the patient education manual.


Patient education manual
The MGB process includes a comprehensive period of patient education and evaluation before a patient is accepted for the procedure. That education includes reading and understanding information found in the patient education manual.

As each patient moves through the initial process, procedure and follow-up, he or she will be asked to fill out a number of forms. For additional information please call (336) 878-6340.

Application Patient Information Form

MGB Information Manual (157kb pdf)

MGB Patient Consent Form (2.1mb pdf)