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Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a candidate for weight loss surgery? Find out below.

At French Hospital Medical Center we have answers to some of your questions. 

1. Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

To be considered for weight loss surgery, you must meet one of the following qualifications:

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher (20 to 25 is considered a normal)
  • Surgery may be considered with a BMI as low as 35 if your doctor determines that there's a medical need for weight reduction and surgery appears to be the only way to accomplish the targeted weight loss.

If you are interested in weight loss surgery, your primary care doctor must provide us with a letter supporting your request for weight loss surgery. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, click here. Many insurance providers, and all Medicare and CenCal insurance providers will require documentation that you have made prior attempts at medically supervised weight loss. Your primary care doctor can provide this in their letter.

To qualify for surgical weight loss, you must complete a medical and psychological pre-evaluation process showing that you are committed to adhering to long-term, follow-up care after surgery and that you have a clear understanding of the extensive dietary, exercise and medical guidelines that must be followed for the rest of your life. The requirements for weight loss surgery are listed below and we will review them with you as well.

Requirements to be considered for weight loss surgery are:

  • All patients over age 50 must have had a colonoscopy in the last ten years.
  • All women over age 40 must have had a mammogram in the prior year.
  • All women of child-bearing age must be on active birth control, and have had a pap/pelvic exam in the prior year.
  • All patients with active severe reflux disease must have had an EGD in the past year.
  • All patients will undergo standard lab screening including CBC, Chemistry panel, LFTs, Thyroid function Patients with diagnosed sleep apnea will need to have a functioning and adjusted CPAP machine prior to surgery.
  • All patients will undergo psychiatric evaluation and counseling with one of our programs providers.
  • All patients will be provided intensive dietary counseling preoperatively.
  • Selected patients will be scheduled to see a cardiologist for preoperative testing and a pulmonologist for overnight polysomnogram and sleep apnea treatment. This can be arranged in our clinic or by your primary care physician.  

2. How long will I be in the hospital?

You could be back home as quickly as the day after your surgery.

3. Will my insurance cover the surgery?

You’ll need to call your insurer and ask if bariatric surgery is covered. Our experienced team can help you with this if necessary. If it’s not a covered benefit we have cash/self pay rates which are competitive with all other programs in the United States.  

4. Why is laparoscopic surgery important?

Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive, heals faster and leaves fewer scars. We perform the majority of procedures laparoscopically, to help our patients get back on their feet quicker, with reduced risk of infection and complications.

5. How do I schedule an appointment?

Call us at 805.332.8446.

French Hospital Medical Center surgical weight loss services are part of: 

The Weight Loss Surgery Institute of the Central Coast
316 S. Stratford Avenue, Suite B
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(located on the Marian Regional Medical Center Campus) 

Learn More About Our Surgical Weight Loss Program

To learn more about our services and how we can help, please call us at 805.332.8446 or use our online feature, Find a Doctor.