Bariatric Surgery
Register for a FREE Informational Bariatric Surgery Seminar
Register now for a FREE informational seminar with Bariatric Surgeon Sajida Ahad, MD, FACS.
You CAN lose weight. Mercy's bariatric surgery program is here to help.
Mercy’s Bariatric Surgery Clinic provides surgical weight loss options to help you with lifelong success with weight control and healthy living.
Our comprehensive program is under the direction of Sajida Ahad MD, FACS – one of the few surgeons in the United States who is trained in obesity medicine and bariatric surgery.
Do I qualify for bariatric surgery?
To be considered for bariatric surgery, you are required to meet a number of criteria. In most cases, you should:
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher with significant obesity/weight-related medical problems (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) or body mass index of 40 or higher.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 70
- Has struggled long-term with excessive weight
- Not be actively using illicit drugs, excessive alcohol or any tobacco products (including vaping).
- Be able to incorporate lifestyle modifications and commit to long-term follow-up
- Attend Mercy's free bariatric seminar (a requirement of the program)
Do you have questions on whether you qualify for bariatric surgery? Attend one of our free educational seminars.
Getting Started
The first step when considering weight-loss surgery is to attend an informational seminar. It is free and mandatory. You will get to know the bariatric surgery team and the types of weight-loss surgery Mercy Medical Center offers. This is a great way to explore options and make the very best decision for your health! Register for a seminar now. If you are unable to register online, please contact our Bariatric Program Coordinator at bariatrics@mercycare.org.
Learn more about preparing for bariatric surgery.
Insurance
Mercy Medical Center accepts most private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Every insurance company and individual plans are different. To meet requirements for most insurance companies, you must have documented weight-loss attempts. The bariatric surgery team will help you navigate insurance requirements for approval.
If you have Iowa Medicaid and are enrolled in the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, you may require a “medical exempt status.”
Types of Bariatric Surgery
Mercy performs four types of bariatric surgery:
- Laparoscopic/Open Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
- Laparoscopic/Open Sleeve Gastrectomy (Vertical Gastrectomy)
- Revisional Bariatric Surgery (based on surgeon’s review and symptom management)
- Removal of Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND)
Learn more about these surgeries and see informational graphics about how they work.
Bariatric Surgery Team
Weight loss through bariatric surgery is much more than a simple procedure — it is a journey. Bariatric patients undergo profound physical and emotional changes, and our compassionate team is here to support every aspect of your weight-loss goals. Our comprehensive program includes a team of board-certified experts, including your surgeon, physician assistant, nurse, program coordinator, dietitian and psychologist, who assist you through surgery and partner as your coaches to help successfully guide you through the changes your bariatric surgery journey will bring. Learn more about your team.
After Bariatric Surgery
Every patient’s journey and weight loss will depend on his or her level of compliance and commitment to healthy dietary changes and exercise throughout his or her lifetime. Learn more about what to expect after bariatric surgery.
Support Groups
Our Bariatric Surgery Support Group is for patients, friends and family who are considering bariatric surgery or have had bariatric surgery.
Led by a member of the bariatric surgery team the group features guest speakers and covers different topics every month such as dietitians, plastic surgeons, physical and exercise therapists, and more.
Attendance is required after your first appointment and is a prerequisite before surgery can be performed. Registration is not required, learn more here.
Forms
Patient Success Stories
FOR PHYSICIANS ONLY
HOW TO REFER A PATIENT TO THE MERCY BARIATRIC SURGERY PROGRAM
Mercy and MercyCare providers: Please submit a referral through EPIC to: AMBULATORY REFERRAL TO BARIATRIC SURGERY.
Non-Mercy Provider's: Please email a confidential email to the Bariatric Program Coordinator, at bariatrics@mercycare.org, or fax a referral to (319) 398-6748 with the following information:
- Patient name
- Patient date of birth
- Patient contact information
- Referring provider's name
- Referring provider's contact information
- Last office visit
Thank you for referring your patient to the Mercy Bariatric Surgery Program