Houston Bariatric Surgeons Say Weight Loss Surgery Insurance Improves Patient Care

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - Jan 24, 2013) - At Texas Laparoscopic Consultants, a Houston weight loss surgery practice, Drs. Sherman Yu and Terry Scarborough understand that many patients are self-conscious about their weight and have trouble slimming down through traditional weight loss methods. The doctors provide patients with a number of weight loss surgery treatments to help them live a longer, more fruitful and healthy life. Because weight loss procedures can be expensive, the doctors stress the importance of having proper insurance coverage prior to considering any type of bariatric surgery.

Drs. Yu and Scarborough say many patients ask if their insurance plan covers the weight loss surgery they desire. "Patients can find out what their insurance plan will cover by contacting their carrier directly or by speaking to one of our insurance representatives who will contact the patient's insurance company to verify coverage," Dr. Yu says.

For patients whose insurance does not cover a specific procedure, the Houston weight loss surgeons say patients can either change their insurance plan or be taken as a self-pay patient. They add that regardless of their choice, patients have the ability to thoroughly discuss their options with office staff before making any decisions.

The doctors report many major insurance carriers are covering more bariatric procedures as the benefits of these procedures are brought to light. Some of the benefits include:

• Reduction of many comorbidities
• Reduction of prescriptions and the need for medications after weight loss
• Greater level of patient ambulation
• Longer life expectancy

With the advent of more options for medical financing and cheaper costs of bariatric surgeries and hospital costs, the doctors say cash-pay agreements are becoming affordable to a growing number of patients.

At their practice, Drs. Yu and Scarborough perform a wide array of procedures, including adjustable gastric band (also known as the LAP-BAND®), gastric bypass surgery, single incision weight loss surgery, gastric sleeve surgery, and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The doctors stress the importance of consulting with an experienced bariatric surgeon before undergoing any weight loss procedure in order to guarantee the most effective results.

About Sherman C. Yu, MD, FACS
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Sherman Yu obtained his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed his surgical training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Medical Association, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Minimally Invasive Robotics Association. Dr. Yu's particular areas of interest include minimally invasive abdominal surgery and gastric sleeve surgery. He is available for interview upon request.

About Terry Scarborough, MD, FACS
Dr. Terry Scarborough graduated from the University of New Mexico and earned his medical degree with honors from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery has been recognized by H-Texas and Newsweek as a Top Physician. Dr. Scarborough is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the Southwestern Surgical Society, and the American College of Surgeons. He is available for interview upon request.