General Questions
Will my insurance company cover Bariatric Surgery? See answer
Some Insurance plans do cover Bariatric Surgery. The easiest way to find out is to call the Customer Service phone number on your Insurance Card and ask if Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery is a covered Benefit.
What happens if I don’t obey my dietary guidelines following weight loss surgery? See answer
Ignoring dietary guidelines following surgery can slow down weight loss and make you sick.
Will I need to undergo plastic surgery to eliminate excess skin? Will it be covered by insurance? See answer
After losing weight, some patients find that they are left with large amounts of excess, saggy skin on their bodies. To remove this skin, some patients choose to undergo plastic surgery. Since this is considered cosmetic surgery, it is typically not covered by insurance.
Can I drink alcohol after undergoing weight loss surgery? See answer
After undergoing weight loss surgery, you may find that even small amounts of alcohol affect you quickly. For the first year, it is suggested that you limit your alcohol intake or refrain from alcohol all together. Alcoholic drinks tend to be high in calories and can hamper weight loss.
If I choose to undergo weight loss surgery, will I still be able to smoke? See answer
Patients who smoke cigarettes are asked to quit prior to surgery.
Why is exercise important after weight loss surgery? See answer
Exercise burns calories, it also helps to build and preserve muscle. Without exercise, your body will consume your unused muscle as you lose weight. This will cause you to lose muscle mass and strength.
Can I get pregnant after undergoing weight loss surgery? See answer
You should avoid pregnancy for at least one year after weight loss surgery at our surgical center. Once a year has passed consult with your surgeon. You should be able to have a healthy pregnancy.
How can I prevent hair loss after undergoing weight loss surgery? See answer
Rapid weight loss often causes patients to lose some hair a few months after surgery. This is usually due to reduced intake of protein and the mineral zinc. Your nutritionist will inform you on the appropriate supplements to take after surgery.
What is dumping syndrome? See answer
Dumping is a group of symptoms caused by eating or drinking high-sugar or high-carbohydrate foods and causes increased “racing” heart rate, sweating, cramping of the bowels and diarrhea.
Canadian Patient FAQs
What can a Canadian expect? See answer
PSSC has customized our service packages to accommodate the needs of our Canadian patients.
• Convenient appointment times available just 15 minutes across the border at our Bellingham, WA office.
• We accept BC Biomedical results for all your blood and other medical tests. Some testing may need to be done in WA State.
I can get weight loss surgery in Canada, can’t I? Why should I come to the USA to get it done? See answer
There are some procedures done in Canada, both self pay and some covered by Medical Services Plan.
Are the fees that I pay for my surgery tax-deductible? See answer
A number of Canadian patients have successfully submitted their receipts and received tax refunds under Medical Expenses for their weight loss surgery fees. We will provide you with appropriate receipts.
How do I get follow-up support after my surgery? See answer
We have a Bellingham, WA office, just 15 minutes across the border to support our Canadian patients. You are also welcome to visit with us in our Edmonds office anytime.
I want to talk to a fellow Canadian who has had weight loss surgery at PSSC. See answer
That is a great idea. We have a number of patients who have kindly made themselves available one on one or within our PSSC support groups. We can put you in touch with somebody anytime.
