Weight loss surgery

We understand that choosing weight loss surgery isn't an easy decision. That's why Sentara offers a free informational seminar.

We require anyone interested in our bariatric surgery program to attend a free seminar to learn about the bariatric surgery process. Check your closest Sentara hospital to see if they offer an in-person seminar.

All of our locations also offer an online seminar option.

Sentara weight loss surgery seminars will walk you through the types of weight loss surgery procedures available at your Sentara hospital.

Weight loss surgeries offered at Sentara include:

• Gastric bypass
• Sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve)
• Gastric band surgery (Lap-Band)
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
• Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Switch (SADI-S)

Weight loss surgery details

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Weight loss surgery is a significant investment in your health, and many patients have questions about insurance coverage and costs. Costs for weight loss surgery can vary significantly based on your personal needs, the type of surgery you choose and your insurance. Many insurance plans will cover the surgical costs, but coverage for weight loss surgery differs by insurance provider and employer group.

Does insurance cover weight loss surgery?

Many health insurance plans do cover weight loss (bariatric) surgery, but coverage varies by plan. Most insurers require:

• A BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure).
• Documentation showing that other weight loss methods, like medically supervised diets, have been attempted without long-term success.
• Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program for a specific period (often 3–6 months) before surgery.
• A psychological evaluation to ensure readiness for surgery and long-term lifestyle changes.

It’s important to check with your insurance company to understand your specific requirements, coverage, and any out-of-pocket costs you may have.

What costs should you expect?

Even with insurance, you may have:

• Co-pays or co-insurance for surgeon, hospital and anesthesia services
• Costs for pre-surgery requirements such as lab work, nutritional counseling, other tests as advised (for example, some patients undergo a sleep study) and follow-up care
• Deductibles that must be met before coverage begins

What should you do next?

After attending our information seminar, you should contact your insurance company to confirm that you have benefits for "morbid obesity." To qualify for surgery, many insurers require supervised diets and special clearance letters from your doctors. Our office has a team that will assist you in navigating insurance requirements.

How we can help

If your insurance coverage does not cover weight loss surgery, you may consider paying for the surgery yourself. We will provide you with a comprehensive overview of pricing to help you plan for the financial investment in your health.

If you've been thinking about weight loss surgery as a tool for losing weight and maintaining your ongoing health goals, these guidelines and qualifications can help you determine if these procedures are an option for you.

You may qualify for weight loss surgery if:

• You are at least 13 years old
• You are at least 100 pounds overweight or:
• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 kg/m2 or higher. View the CDC BMI calculator.
• Your BMI is at least 35 kg/m2, and you have one or more serious obesity-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea
• You have been overweight for more than five years
• Your serious weight-loss attempts have had only short-term success
• You are not suffering from any other disease that may have caused your excess weight
• You are prepared to make long-term healthy changes in your eating habits and lifestyle

Keep in mind that only a qualified physician/surgeon can properly evaluate all the factors in your case.

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