Steps to Surgery

1. Attend an Information Seminar

Synergy Bariatrics general information seminar will give you an overview of the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery, and the impact that it has upon daily life. These seminars are offered online all the time, any time, but also in-person at the Synergy Bariatrics office in Williamsville.

During these presentations, you will hear about the various weight loss surgery procedures we offer with focus upon:

* Their similarities and differences.

* The benefits of weight loss surgery to your overall health.

* How much and how fast weight loss can be expected with each procedure.

* The significant impact it can have on your daily life for the rest of your life.

* The commitments required to achieve and maintain success.

We have an excellent surgical program and our team will do our best to give you the best care and guidance from registration to life-long post-op follow up.

Together we can make this a great experience. Please call us whenever you like if you need help with any instructions, or would like clarification of our office policies or health insurance activity.

These presentations are made by one of our bariatric surgeons.

To view the seminar online, Click here to request online access or call the office at        

 (716) 565-3990 x 103

and speak with Linda, our patient advocate to reserve your place at one of our seminars.

Online and In-Person Seminar Options are Available

Online Patient Seminars available to you for 24/7 access. Sign-up for access by requesting an account using the link on the box in the upper left side of this page.

Or you have the option of attending an in-person seminar presented by Dr. Mark Cavaretta. Upcoming Seminars are available:

In the Buffalo area on Mondays at 6 pm

October 3rd, 17th, 24th.
November 7th, 14th, 21st.

Synergy Bariatrics
30 North Union Road, Suite 104
Williamsville, 14221
Please RSVP with Linda 716-565-3990 x 103

*Synergy is a smoke-free facility. Smoking breaks are not permitted.

2. Submit your Registration Paperwork

Complete the new patient registration packet you received from the information seminar. This packet contains several pages of medical questionnaires, business policy forms, and instructions for other information to submit to us before the surgeon can see you in our office. Although most of these requirements are mandated by insurance companies, this information is very helpful to us in determining your surgical candidacy and which procedure may be right for you.

3. Talk with a Patient Liason about Steps to Office Consultation

Your success begins with continued preparation and involvement of your primary care physician. Our team approach to your care also involves partnership with a dietitian or nutritionist, and a mental health professional.

After processing your registration, a Patient Liason will contact you. She will help you through the entire pre-consultation process. She can guide you through the next steps in the pathway and schedule your appointment to meet with a surgeon in our office.

4. Obtain Support from Your Family Doctor and a Mental Health Professional

Some health insurance companies require written recommendations for surgery from a clinical psychologist who specializes in the care of baritric surgery patients. This means you may have to go to one or more appointments with a psychologist or psychiatrist. You will discuss your readiness for surgery and must demonstrate understanding of the behavior and lifestyle changes it requires, including your commitment for long-term success.

Our Eating Behavior Specialist, Ann Marie LiCausi, LMSW is involved in the entire patient pathway. She may suggest involvement of others to achieve your goals or guide you herself through the pre-surgical process and beyond.
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If written endorsement for surgery has not been received by us, your surgeon at Synergy will request it after consulting with you in our office.

Not only is a letter of medical necessity for bariatric surgery required by health insurance carriers, it documents support of your doctor and gives us a formal overview of your medical history and attests to the appropriateness of surgery for you.

If you haven't already, make an appointment to talk to your family doctor about bariatric surgery and undergo the tests necessary for surgical evaluation. Discuss your medical history and the diets and exercise programs you’ve tried in the past and the reasons why you are pursuing weight loss surgery.

There are instructions in the registration packet to help you when you meet with your doctor. If you have any questions about this, please call a Patient Liason.

5. Meet with a Synergy Bariatrics Surgeon

During your initial consultation appointment, you will meet with several members of our clinical and administrative team.

As part of your exam, our Medical Assistants and Bariatric Nurse will review the information you sent about your medical history, take measurements and ask you several questions. Then, you will meet privately with the surgeon to talk about your health, and social, family and medical history. He will perform a complete physical exam and then you will talk more. He will ask you the reasons why you want to have bariatric surgery and then talk about whether it is an option for you. He will go into detail about the kind of procedure you want and why one type may be better for you than another. He will ask to you demonstrate an understanding of the risks of surgery and the tests results which will be considered.

Use this time to ask other questions and to talk about recovery and time off from work.

Oftentimes, your surgeon will ask your family members or friends to join your discussions in the exam room. He will ask you to give us your written consent for surgery and your written commitment to healthy lifestyle changes and life-long follow up with Synergy Bariatrics. This is a big step and there is a lot to consider; support of those closest to you is a critical part of your recovery and success.

We at Synergy will do our best to keep you fully informed of what to expect next.

6. Request Insurance Coverage

Insurance carriers require many pieces of documentation to support a request to authorize bariatric surgery. We will do our best to assemble your file as quickly as possible and keep you informed throughout this process.

Sometimes, we may not receive a response from your insurance for a few weeks. However, once Synergy Bariatrics receives a letter of approval from them, we will contact you as soon as possible. At this time, the Medical Assistant will schedule your surgery and discuss making appointments for medical clearance and other tests required just before your hospitalization.

7. Prepare for Change: Nutrition and Exercise

Under the guidance of our Registered Dietitian, Bariatric Nurse, and Personal Trainer, we provide a pre-operaative patient preparation class with focus on nutrition and exercise.

Once your surgery has been scheduled, we'll make your appointment for this group session held at Synergy Bariatrics.

The challenges of the post-operative diet include permanent changes to what and when you eat and drink, tracking and planning meals to meet your nutrition goals, maintenance of vitamin and mineral supplementation, and more. You will receive a packet of helpful materials prior to class. These will be reviewed and talked about in practical situations. You'll also discuss the phases of food progression and what to expect while your in the hospital.

Physical challenges after surgery begin with recovery and continue with the lifelong need to exercise to achieve and maintain optimal results. Learn about your free trial membership at J Fitness and how we can help you design and execute a well-structured fitness routine. Exercise truly makes a difference, use the opportunity to become a leaner, better feeling you.

8. Get and Give Support - Peer Support Groups

Our Bariatric Nurse, Lisa, is the perfect moderator for the support groups in our office. Not only is she a bariatric surgery patient, she has become a leading expert in the field of bariatric nursing.

Our surgeons recommend that each patient attend one of our group meetings prior to surgery. You may come alone or with a guest; it's a great opportunity to talk, ask questions, and listen.

Support groups are conducted several times a month; please check with a Synergy Bariatrics team member for schedule of "Band" or "Bypass/Sleeve" meetings.