FAQ's
Do I need a referral from my doctor to see a bariatric surgeon?
People do not need a referral to make an appointment to see a bariatric surgeon.
How do I make an appointment for a consultation to see a bariatric surgeon?
Call us at 214-501-1333 or visit the website and fill out a Contact Us form
Do you have weekend or night appointments?
We currently offer appointments Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Wednesday evenings till 8 pm to help accommodate people's schedules, but do not offer weekends at this time.
Is a consultation with a bariatric surgeon a commitment to surgery?
No, a consultation with a bariatric surgeon is an appointment to learn about bariatrics and the options available surgically.
What happens at the first appointment with a bariatric surgeon?
At the first appointment the doctor will learn about your previous weight loss attempts and health history. Weight and blood pressure will be taken but no blood work drawn. It’s a conversation with the doctor to discuss how bariatric surgery works and the best options to reach weight loss goals. The office will have your bariatric benefits, pulled from your insurance company, and will go over these in detail.
Is Insurance accepted for bariatric surgery?
We accept most major insurance for bariatric surgery.
How do I pay for bariatric surgery if I don’t have insurance coverage with bariatric benefits?
We offer affordable self pay pricing, finance options, and accept employer direct healthcare plans like Surgery Plus/Lantern and Transcarent.
How long does it take to go to surgery after the first consultation?
People paying cash, or those with Surgery Plus/Lantern, can go to surgery in as fast as two weeks. Those that are using insurance benefits will need to complete “criteria” before surgery and this can take between 1-12 months depending on individual policy.
Do you require a liquid diet/shrinking liver diet before surgery?
Dr. Cribbins and Dr. Chen does not, and never have, required a pre-op liquid diet for bariatric surgery. We ask that patients eat a clean diet that is high in protein, low carb, and low sugar free to optimize the liver for stomach surgery.
Why do you require a clean eating diet before bariatric surgery?
Eating a low carb, low sugar, high protein diet prior to surgery will help optimize the body for bariatric surgery and shrink the liver. A pre-operative liver shrinking diet is crucial before bariatric surgery because it makes the surgery safer and potentially easier. By reducing the liver's size and density, the diet creates more space for the surgeon to work during the procedure, reducing the risk of complications and the need for a more invasive open surgery.
Where do Dr. Cribbins and Dr. Chen perform surgery?
All bariatric surgeries are performed at one of our six award winning MBSAQIP bariatric hospitals that are Centers of Excellence. This accreditation ensures that patients have the highest level of care possible at world class facilities for bariatric surgery and not a surgery center.
How long do patients stay in the hospital after bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery patients can elect to go home the same day, if approved by the surgeon, but most patients spend one night in the hospital.
How long do people take off work after bariatric surgery?
The amount of time that people take off work after surgery depends upon how physical their job is. People with a desk job often return to work between 4-7 days after surgery and those with a more physical job can return to lighter duty in 2 weeks.
Will I be able to eat regular food after bariatric surgery?
Yes, after bariatric surgery people are on a clear liquid diet for 72 hours, progressing to full liquids and then to a pureed diet. People slowly add regular foods back into their diet around 6 weeks.
