Care & Services / Bariatric & Metabolic Weight Loss

Bariatric & Metabolic Weight Loss

North Memorial Health Specialty Clinic - Robbinsdale Robbinsdale Medical Building
3366 Oakdale Ave. N
Suite 200
Robbinsdale, MN 55422

763-581-3762

Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

With bariatric weight loss surgery, it’s not just what you lose, but what you gain. For those who qualify for bariatric surgery, weight loss isn’t just about the numbers on the scale or the size on your clothes tags. It can help reduce the risk of other conditions or help you manage ones you may already have, such as Type 2 diabetes. Lose weight quickly and safely, create sustainable change in your life, and celebrate a healthier you.

To speak with a member of our clinical team and learn more about our program, call 763-581-3762.

Start Your Journey

Icon of a scale to represent weigh loss surgery

The North Memorial Health Advantage

We are an accredited Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) because we meet the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care.
We work as a comprehensive care team to make sure you receive care for your whole self, with the support you need and deserve before, during, and after surgery.
Our bariatrics patients have lost an average of 72 pounds.
More than 90 percent of our patients with diabetes are able to reduce their medications, and of those, greater than 87 percent are in total remission after one year.
We offer minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. These options may help reduce discomfort after surgery and recovery time.

We help you determine not only what “healthy” specifically looks like to you, but also to create sustainable change, improving your overall quality of life.
We offer options for patients without insurance or those with limited insurance benefits.
We offer a monthly support group meeting to those in our program at all stages in their journey.
The Women’s Choice Award ranked North Memorial Health in the top nine percent of hospitals in Bariatrics in 2023. This recognition is unique in that it combines national accreditations, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results and hospital outcome scores with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.

Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Guide

This guide aims to answer many of your questions around surgery as you look to begin your weight loss journey.

Topics in the guide include:

Getting started in our program
Understanding your insurance coverage
A checklist to surgery
Understanding obesity
Considerations and requirements for surgery
Goals and benefits of surgery
Types of surgeries performed in our program
Pre-surgery goals
Pre- and post-surgery exercise guidance

Download Our Free Guide

Start Your Journey

Interested in beginning your weight loss journey? Start here.

Begin your weight loss surgery journey by watching this 30-minute video. The video will give you a clear understanding of the Bariatric and Metabolic weight loss surgery program offered at North Memorial Health, including the types of procedures available, the process leading up to the surgery and the lifestyle changes after the surgery.

To move to the next step in your weight loss surgery journey, you must view this video in its entirety. Once the video is complete, you will be asked to fill out a brief form notifying our care team to contact you to discuss next steps.

Video Transcript

English | Español | العربية | Русский | Soomaali

Roadmap to Surgery

Steps throughout preoperative bariatric surgery program

1. Online Video

View online informational video and complete brief form to notify care team to contact you to discuss next steps.

2. Insurance Verification

Insurance information will be obtained and verification of benefits completed.

3. Initial Consult

Initial consult with surgery team to determine plan of care throughout preoperative program. Insurance guidelines, required appointments, and habits/lifestyle changes reviewed.

4. Preoperative Preparation

Preparing for surgery with completion of required appointments and developing habits/lifestyle changes. Clearance to proceed with surgery from all providers obtained throughout required appointments.

5. Surgeon Visit

Meet with surgeon for final visit prior to surgery.

6. Insurance Prior Authorization Approval

Submission of documents throughout preoperative preparation program to insurance to obtain prior authorization. Once prior authorization is obtained surgery date is scheduled.

7. Surgery

Surgery at North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital.

Conditions & Care Options

Learn more about your condition and how it may be treated at North Memorial Health.

List of Conditions

Obesity

List of Services

Behavioral Health

Fitness Classes

Health & Wellness Education

Home Visit Follow-up

Nutrition Counseling

Monthly Support Group Meetings

Weight & Lifestyle Management

List of Surgeries

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Learn More

Considerations and Requirements

Committing to a lifelong lifestyle change

Bariatric surgery is just one step on the journey to your health-related goals. It will help you feel full quicker, making it easier to eat less and allow you to rapidly lose weight in most cases.

You will need to be committed to a lifelong change in your lifestyle including eating a healthy diet, daily exercise, and daily vitamin supplementation.

Learn more about guidelines and goals of bariatric surgery.

Other special considerations and requirements:

Establish care with a primary care provider and be considered healthy enough for surgery.
Participate in long-term follow up care.
Good support system in family or friends.
No nicotine use or any inhalants for at least 8 weeks prior to surgery (prefer 6 months) and a commitment to lifelong abstinence.
No active chemical or alcohol dependency issues.
No planned pregnancy for two years, appropriate contraception to be used in the meantime, two methods being preferred.
If you have a history of cancer, this must be in remission and be cleared by your treating oncologist.
Prequalified by your insurance company.
Not currently experiencing organ failure or on an organ transplant waiting list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify?

You must be older than 18 and in good enough health for surgery. You must also be willing to make long-term lifestyle changes.

How long is the process?

The whole process to enroll in our program and have surgery generally takes three to six months, and may depend on your insurance coverage or what is needed to prepare you for surgery.

Will my insurance cover it?

For insurance to cover your surgery, your BMI generally has to be greater than 40, or 35 with medically related conditions.

We ask that you call your health insurance company to find out if weight loss surgery is covered and any requirements you will need to complete prior to your procedure.

Call the telephone number on your membership card and use the following as a guide to help you get a clear idea of your coverage. Take note of the date and time of your call, representative spoken to, and reference number of representative. Here is a list of questions to ask your insurance provider before surgery:

Is bariatric (weight loss) surgery covered under my insurance plan if I meet all the criteria needed to have surgery?

Is North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital in network and covered under my insurance plan?

Is laparoscopic __________(insert name of surgery) covered? Choose from: Roux-en-y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy

Is nutrition counseling a covered service?

What is my maximum out-of-pocket?

What is my deductible?

The person you speak with may need the following information:

Diagnosis code: E66.01

CPT codes:
- Roux-en-y gastric bypass: 43644
- Sleeve gastrectomy: 43775

Nutrition Counseling
- 97802
- 97803

How much will it cost me out of pocket?

This varies by insurance, and depends on your deductible.

In some cases, we offer financing for bariatric surgery. Call 763-581-4364 for more information.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

The average patient may lose about 60 percent of their excess body weight with sleeve gastrectomy surgery and about 65 percent with gastric bypass. Your surgery is considered a success if you lose more than 50 percent of your excess body weight and keep it off.

Is weight loss surgery a copout?

Any weight loss is difficult, whether it is diet and exercise alone, or undergoing bariatric surgery to help you lose weight. Obesity is a disease that makes losing weight difficult and can make weight-related conditions worse. Obesity is a chronic, progressive disease with genetic and environmental components. Surgery is the most durable and proven way to lose significant amounts of weight and keep it off.

Is obesity an addiction?

It's much more complex than a drug or alcohol addiction. Unlike drugs or alcohol, food is a necessity. Obesity also causes changes that increase the risk of further weight gain.

Will weight loss surgery cure my sleep apnea, diabetes, or high blood pressure?

Many times, weight loss surgery can put your Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea into remission—but it is complicated.

Results can vary from person to person. Consult with your surgeon regarding your weight-related medical conditions and how weight loss surgery can help you.

Do most people regain the weight they lost through surgery?

Most people are successful, as they lose more than 50 percent of their excess body weight and keep it off. Key in your success is dedication to a new lifestyle and follow-up with the bariatric program.

Do you do medical weight loss?

Yes. North Memorial Health offers a comprehensive weight management program including both medical (nonsurgical) and surgical options. To learn more about our medical weight loss program, talk with your provider or visit our Weight & Lifestyle Management Clinic.