Please follow the steps below to become a weight loss surgery candidate.
Step 1: Schedule Your Seminar Date
Every bariatric patient at Turnquest Surgical Solutions must have a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Turnquest before proceeding with the necessary steps for surgery. Our practice offers a bariatric seminar once a month at each of our office locations. Our office seminars consist of a short talk and presentation by Dr. Turnquest, followed by a one-on-one consultation. Space is very limited.
To schedule your seminar date, call our office at 281-444-8090. A Turnquest Surgical Solutions team member will contact you within 48 hours to discuss upcoming seminar and consultation dates available with Dr. Turnquest.
SEMINAR LOCATIONS
Willowbrook:
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Women & Children’s Pavilion conference Center, First Floor
18220 State Highway 249
Houston, TX 77070
Red Oak:
Office Waiting Room
17070 Red Oak Drive, Suite 101
Houston, TX 77090
Step 2: Complete New Patient Forms
Before your first appointment, follow the link for New Patient Forms and fill out your new patient paperwork. As a new bariatric patient, you will also need to fill out our Nutrition Questionnaire. Completing these forms before your visit saves valuable time in our office. PLEASE NOTE, you will not be checked-in for your appointment until all paperwork has been returned to our receptionist. By bringing in your completed paperwork, you can be checked-in immediately upon your arrival.
New Patient Forms - Dr. Turnquest
Step 3: Call Insurance Company
Check to make sure weight loss surgery is covered by your plan. Criteria for coverage will vary among insurance companies. Below are some questions you may ask your insurance company to determine eligibility:
- Is weight loss surgery covered under my insurance plan?
- Which of these operation codes are covered:
Adjustable Gastric Band 43770
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy 43775
Gastric Bypass 43644
Morbid Obesity 278.01 - Do I need to complete a medically supervised diet? If yes, for how long?
Step 4: Complete Insurance Criteria
To qualify for bariatric surgery, your insurance company will likely require several actions before you may submit a claim for surgery coverage. On your first visit, you will meet with our bariatric coordinator, who will review your insurance requirements with you. Depending on your type of insurance, you will need to gather or perform some or all of the following information or tasks:
- Medical records for 2-5 years
- Complete a psychological evaluation
- 1-12 meeting(s) with a dietitian
- Show that you have participated in a supervised diet or exercise program over a 3 months to 1 year period
- Gain clearances from a cardiologist
Once everything has been reviewed, our office will submit the information to the insurance company. It may take between 15-30 days to gain approval. We will contact you once the insurance company approves your procedure.
Step 5: Prepare for Surgery
Once it has been decided that a surgical procedure is needed, your procedure will be scheduled. Depending upon your condition, you will be given a choice of dates, times, and locations for surgery. The surgical center will call a few days prior to surgery to confirm your arrival time. You may be required to have lab work, X-Rays and/or preoperative cardiac clearance. For a quick overview of pre-op instructions, see Weight Loss Pre-Op Diet and Instructions at least one week prior to your surgery date. For more detailed information, see Bariatric Pre and Post Op Instructions.
