To qualify for bariatric surgery, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater or have a BMI of 35 with other health issues related to obesity, with obesity being defined as being 100 pounds or more overweight.

These health issues might include:

• Diabetes
• Degenerative joint of disc disease
• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia
• Chornic venous insufficiency
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Coronary artery disease/chronic heart failure
• Asthma
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Obesity hyperventilation syndrome
• Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Severe urinary incontinence

When you make an appointment to have bariatric surgery, you are making a commitment to change your life. That new life starts as you prepare for your upcoming surgery and continues as you learn to make healthier choices. Participation in our program includes:

• Meeting your bariatric surgeon who will help you with health screenings and evaluations
• Nutrition evaluations
• Education
• Smoking cessation
• Learning about your insurance coverage

Once you complete all pre-operative steps and your insurance is approved, you will be scheduled to determine a surgery date.

The average stay in the hospital is one night after surgery. The average time to take off work or school is approximately one to two weeks, however, talk to your surgeon about the recommended time to take off.

Follow-up is very important to your success. Your first follow-up visit will be approximately one to two weeks after surgery. Then, we will schedule visits with you for one month, three months, six months and one year, and we’re available to meet with you every year after that. Our team is here to support you for the rest of your life!

The cost of bariatric surgery often depends on a variety of factors, including insurance. While most insurance companies will cover bariatric surgery, we recommend that you reach out to your insurance provider to discuss your options. We will provide a FREE telephone appointment with our Financial Counselor to go over your insurance benefit. We accept self-payment, private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Contact our financial counselor at (801) 906-2782

Around 90% of patients lose 50% of excess body weight and keep it off long-term. Studies have reported that bariatric surgery has proven to decrease mortality, risk for cancer, heart disease, among many other benefits. Your surgeon can give you a more individualized weight loss range based on your starting weight, height, and various other factors.

Any patient trying to lose weight with a BMI > 30 or >27 with one or more weight related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or sleep apnea.

For self-pay patients, Intermountain utilizes MDsave to offer an all-inclusive price (no 'surprise' bills) for their bariatric procedure. They also offer financing options. See MDsave for more information.

Go to MDsave