Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?
Candidates for bariatric surgery must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more or be at least 100 pounds overweight. You may also be considered for surgery if you have a BMI of 35 or more and have two or more of the following obesity-related health problems:
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Severe sleep apnea
What is required prior to surgery?
Depending on your insurance, you may need to complete supervised medical weight loss or other steps before they will approve your surgery. In addition, the surgeon may suggest additional steps be completed based upon your current health to ensure you are as healthy as possible for surgery. We have a multi-disciplinary team here to help you on your weight loss journey with our ultimate goal of helping you to achieve long-term weight loss success.
How does the insurance process work?
We will assist you in determining your insurance benefits and guide you through the approval process. In addition, we will provide financing information if you do not have insurance coverage for weight loss surgery.
Additional Payment Options and Tax Benefits: If you receive a diagnosis of obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you may be able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover a portion of the cost of weight loss surgery. You may also be eligible to take advantage of tax deductions to help defray the cost. To explore these options, talk with your tax advisor or the administrator of your HSA or FSA account.
What do I do first?
Your first step closer to weight loss is to attend one of our free weight loss information seminars. Attendance is required prior to making an appointment. You may register online for the seminar or visit the Avera Weight Management page to view an online webinar. After attending the seminar or watching the webinar, you may call to schedule an appointment with the surgeon of your choice. If you have any questions, please contact us or call (605) 334-0393 or (800) 344-6389.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you along your weight loss journey!
Do I need a referral to see a surgeon for cancer in Sioux Falls?
You do not always need a referral to see a surgeon for cancer, but many insurance plans require one, so it is worth checking with your insurer before your first appointment. Bringing a referral from your primary care physician or oncologist can also speed up the scheduling process and ensure your records arrive before your visit.Can a general surgeon operate on my cancer, or do I need a surgical oncologist?
Many cancers — including tumors of the skin, breast, colon, and soft tissue — can be treated by a skilled general surgeon with oncology experience. The right choice depends on your specific diagnosis, stage, and anatomy, so the most important step is meeting with a surgeon who routinely performs the procedure your cancer requires.What should I bring to my first cancer surgery consultation in Sioux Falls?
Bring any recent imaging such as CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds along with the radiology reports, your pathology or biopsy results if available, a current list of medications, and your insurance card. Having these records in hand allows the surgeon to review your case fully and discuss surgical options with you at that first visit.Will my cancer surgery be robotic-assisted?
Robotic-assisted surgery is available for many cancer procedures and allows surgeons to operate with greater precision through smaller incisions, which can mean less pain and a faster recovery. Whether it is the right approach for your case depends on the type, size, and location of your tumor, and your surgeon will walk you through all available options during your consultation.Who is the best surgeon in Sioux Falls for cancer surgery?
The best cancer surgeon for you is one who specializes in operating on your specific type of cancer and has extensive experience with the procedure you need. Patients in Sioux Falls seeking a surgical evaluation for cancer should look for a surgeon who offers both traditional and minimally invasive approaches and who coordinates closely with oncology and radiology teams for comprehensive care.What should you ask a surgeon during a consultation before committing to surgery?
Ask about the surgeon's experience with your specific procedure, what recovery realistically looks like, and which complications to watch for afterward. Understand whether you're a candidate for minimally invasive or robotic-assisted approaches. Clarify what the surgeon provides during recovery and who you contact if concerns arise between follow-ups.Does the Surgical Institute of South Dakota accept patients in cities outside Sioux Falls?
The institute serves patients across South Dakota including Mitchell, Brookings, Watertown, Yankton, and Madison in addition to Sioux Falls. Distance doesn't limit eligibility for consultation or surgery. Pre-operative and follow-up visits are coordinated to minimize travel when possible, though some procedures require staging and recovery monitoring.How does insurance approval work for bariatric surgery in South Dakota?
Bariatric insurance coverage depends on policy-specific requirements including BMI thresholds, documented weight loss attempts, and medical necessity. The institute's team guides patients through insurance verification and required documentation before surgery is scheduled. Free informational seminars explain the approval timeline and what insurers typically require upfront.What's the difference between a surgeon and a surgicalist when it comes to recovery?
A surgicalist model provides direct surgeon accessibility during the recovery period after your operation, rather than handing off post-op care to hospitalists or other providers. This continuity means the surgeon who performed your procedure monitors your progress and addresses complications. It's designed to improve outcomes when recovery doesn't go as expected.Why do recovery times vary so much between patients having the same surgery?
Individual factors like age, baseline health, surgical complexity, and whether robotic or open techniques were used all affect recovery speed. Robotic-assisted procedures typically involve smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional open surgery. Complications, pain tolerance, and how closely post-op instructions are followed also create variability between patients.What makes someone a candidate for robotic-assisted surgery instead of traditional surgery?
Candidacy depends on the procedure type, anatomy, previous surgeries, and whether precision through smaller incisions offers clinical benefit. Not every operation is appropriate for robotic assistance. Surgeons evaluate imaging, complexity, and patient factors during consultation to determine the best surgical approach for your case.What happens during a bariatric surgery informational seminar?
Seminars explain gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures, insurance requirements, the multidisciplinary support team involved, and realistic expectations for weight loss and recovery. Attendees learn what the process requires before, during, and after surgery. Seminars are free and serve as a starting point before individual consultations and evaluations.How do you verify a surgeon's experience with a specific procedure before scheduling?
Ask how many times the surgeon has performed your exact procedure, what their complication rate is, and whether they handle complex or revision cases. Board certification and hospital credentialing confirm baseline qualifications. Volume matters — surgeons who perform a procedure regularly tend to have better outcomes than those who do it occasionally.What's covered under surgical follow-up care after an operation?
Follow-up typically includes wound checks, complication monitoring, and clearance to resume activity, though specifics depend on the procedure and insurance. The surgicalist model at the institute provides direct surgeon access during recovery rather than transferring post-op care. Clarify during consultation what's included and how after-hours concerns are handled.Can you get a referral for colorectal cancer screening even without symptoms?
The institute accepts referrals for colorectal and colon cancer screening and treatment whether or not symptoms are present. Screening is recommended based on age, family history, and risk factors, not just active symptoms. Early detection through screening improves treatment outcomes significantly compared to waiting for symptoms to appear.
