Surgery Program

The Northwestern Memorial Hospital Weight Loss Surgery Program is committed to providing you with the education and foundation necessary for long-term success after weight loss surgery.

Take these steps to join the Weight Loss Surgery Program:

Check your BMI

You must have a body mass index of 40 or higher to be eligible for surgery. If you have a body mass index between 35 and 39 and you have at least one medical problem that is made worse by obesity, then you may be eligible for surgery.

Contact Your Insurance Company

• Weight loss surgery is a "covered benefit" by your policy

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation are part of your coverage

You will have to provide the diagnosis code for obesity and the operative codes for surgery to your insurance company.

Operative procedure codes:

• CPT 43775 (Sleeve Gastrectomy)

• CPT 43644 (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass)

• CPT 43770 (Lap-Band® Procedure)

Obesity diagnosis code:

• ICD-9 278.01

Please Note: If your insurance does not cover surgery, we offer a self-pay option.

Attend the Weight Loss Seminar

At the weight loss seminar, you will learn about the weight loss surgery program, meet weight loss surgery patients, and meet one of the surgeons in the program.

Please fill out the weight loss surgery program application (pdf) and bring it with you to the seminar.

Once your application is complete and reviewed by our medical staff, we will contact you regarding your next steps and appointment scheduling. You will not be able to schedule an appointment until your application is complete.

Evaluation Appointments

After your application has been submitted, you will attend a three-part series to evaluate you for surgery.

• Dietary
• Medical
• Psychological

Eating for Success

If your evaluations determine you are ready for surgery, you will attend a series of classes to learn how to eat after surgery. These classes focus on nutrition and optimizing your diet to work with you and your new stomach.

Meet your Surgeon

At this appointment, your surgeon and medical staff will review the risks and benefits of the weight loss procedure. Be sure to bring a family member or other support person to help you remember all the information you will receive at this appointment.

Support Group

Our support group helps you adjust to your new stomach, body and lifestyle. Share your experiences and hear from others all in different stages of treatment. This valuable group will help you achieve a lifetime of success.

Contact Us

For more information about the Weight Loss Surgery Program and to schedule an appointment, please call 312-695-7070