Frequently Asked Questions About Bariatric Surgery & My New Beginning

Where is My New Beginning located?

White Rock Medical Center
My New Beginning
1151 N. Buckner Blvd.
Suite 308
Dallas, TX 75218

Surgeons are independent practitioners solely responsible for the medical services provided to you.

Do I have to live in Dallas to be a patient?

You don’t have to live in Dallas to be a patient with the My New Beginning bariatric program. We welcome all who are seeking a supportive place for medical weight loss care, regardless of where you live. Learn more about being a patient no matter where you live.

What are the benefits of bariatric surgery?

In addition to an improved lifestyle, bariatric surgery is used to improve a patient’s health conditions caused by being obese. People who are morbidly obese are at a much greater risk of developing a variety of serious medical conditions compared to individuals who are not obese. This includes developing health problems at a young age. The team at My New Beginning is passionate about helping you reach a healthy weight, which could save you from developing conditions such as:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Angina (chest pain)
• Congestive heart failure
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea
• Back pain
• Pregnancy complications (including diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and C-section delivery)
• Menstrual irregularity and infertility in women
• Bladder problems
• Poor heat tolerance
• Complications and infections after surgery
• Skin infections
• Depression and eating disorders
• Premature death

Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?

To qualify for bariatric surgery, you should:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be either morbidly obese (100 pounds or more overweight, with a BMI of 40 or more), or be obese with associated complications (a BMI of 35 or more, with a condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease)
• Have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight through a structured, medical weight-loss program that included diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes
• Be experiencing personal or occupational problems due to obesity
• Undergo a psychological evaluation and counseling to determine that you are emotionally healthy enough to understand the consequences of your decision
• Be willing and able to commit to long-term, follow-up care, as well as the rigorous, lifelong changes in eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits that will be necessary to meet and maintain your weight loss and health goals after surgery

Calculate your BMI to see if you are eligible.

What are the potential surgical risks?

As with all surgeries, there are risks associated with undergoing bariatric surgery. These risks include, but are not limited to, the usual risks of any surgery that involves general anesthesia, including problems with the following:

• Breathing and pneumonia
• Blood clots
• Bleeding
• Hernias at the site of the incision
• Infection
• Death

The risks specific to gastric bypass surgery include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leaking or rupture along the stapled area of the stomach
• Gallstones
• Nausea and vomiting, especially if you overeat
• Dumping syndrome (a condition in which you eat too much sugar or fat, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shakiness, dizziness, and sweating)
• Nutritional deficiencies (such as iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and folic acid)
• Blocked intestine (bowel obstruction)
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• Excess skin after weight loss

Although you may not be able to avoid all complications, risks after surgery may be minimized by following these guidelines:

• Closely follow recommended meal sizes
• Take small bites
• Chew slowly and thoroughly
• Take 20 to 30 minutes to eat each meal
• Follow recommended amounts of fat and sugar for each meal

A dietitian within our program will educate you about how to maintain the most nutritious diet possible, offer advice on nutritional supplements, and provide information on taking fiber to avoid constipation.

Are there certain foods I won’t be able to tolerate after surgery?

No. However, every patient’s experience is unique following surgery. Additionally, each procedure has different dietary requirements. Your care team will inform you about what to expect regarding diet following your procedure.

What lifestyle changes will I need to make after surgery?

Because bariatric surgery helps  patients lose weight and keep the weight off, patients will need to make a commitment to caring for their new bodies after surgery. Substantial changes to eating habits and lifestyle are necessary to see the best results possible. It’s important that each patient continues working with the specialist in charge of their care to build and maintain these healthy changes.

What will the cost to me be?

Price is determined by insurance coverage, which will vary among insurance carriers. Cash rate prices are also available. Please contact us and we can review your coverage and available options to determine your cost.

Because of the many important health changes that can result from bariatric surgery, it is often considered medically necessary. As a result, many insurance companies cover the procedure, at least in part.

Is support offered to pre- and post-surgery patients?

Yes, support is a very important step in the preparation and healing of bariatric surgery patients. At My New Beginning, we emphasize education and support with on-site behavior and dietitian specialists, as well as with a monthly support group that allows patients to share feelings and experiences with others who know what they are going through.

The Bariatric Support Group is held the first Monday of every month (unless it falls on a holiday) between 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The mission behind our bariatric support group is simple: to provide a safe, effective, non-judgmental environment for patients to receive education and counseling. It’s an atmosphere of trust, honesty, thoughtfulness, and integrity that offers the highest quality support for those undergoing weight-loss surgery.

We encourage you to invite your family members or close friends who are part of your support system to join you. They are very important to your success.

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