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Getting started
is as easy as 1-2

1. Contact us so we can answer questions and review your insurance for ways to help.

Call 501.574.7171 Email Us

2. Complete our online seminar.

Please fill out this form, and we will send you our free online weight loss seminar. Our team will also contact you to see how we can help you along your weight loss journey.

Learn More About Arkansas Bariatric Institute

  • What is unique about Arkansas Bariatric Institute?

    Here are just a few of the key benefits of taking your weight loss journey with us:

    • Our surgeons meet with patients from the very first consultation. We believe that developing relationships early on will help us better understand your circumstances and goals, which will ultimately lead to better results. 
    • We perform surgeries at Saline Memorial Hospital, which holds the following accreditations:

               

    • Readers of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette have voted us as the Best Weight Loss Program for 2022 and 2023, and our surgeons and dietitians have been named among the "Best of the Best" in both the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and AY magazine. 
    • We have a vibrant and enthusiastic support group that communicates online and meets in-person. Here, the staff and patients offer encouragements, tips and recipes; they are even forming a group to train and walk in a 5K together. 

    We hope this helps you see a bit about what is so special about the Arkansas Bariatric Institute, but we encourage you to schedule a consultation so that you can see for yourself! 

  • What does your accreditation mean for me?

    There are a several advantages to having weight loss surgery done in an accredited facility, but here are just a couple:

    • You can expect a higher quality care because accredited facilities follow evidence-based best practices and are accountable to the accrediting organization for following quality standards and reporting results.
    • More insurance companies cover bariatric surgery at accredited hospitals. 
  • Can I see data about your surgical volume and outcomes?

    Yes, we are happy to share our data with you. First, here is a little background: 

    As an MBSAQIP-accredited facility, we submit data on all our surgeries, and MBSAQIP sends us a report twice a year, for the dates specified. The report shows where our surgical results fall into assessment categories: needs improvement, as expected or exemplary.

    Note: This report only applies for stapling procedures, so that is why lap band, overstitch and balloon aren't included, even though we do report data on these procedures as well. 

    Here's the semi-annual report for 7/1/2022 to 6/30/2023:

    Total bariatric surgeries in 2023: 283

    Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG)

    Total Cases - 198

    Morbidity

    Observed events - 3

    Rate: 1.83%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All Occurrence Morbidity

    Observed events - 4

    Rate: 2.81%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Serious Event

    Observed events - 1

    Rate: 0.51%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Leak

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Bleeding

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Surgical Site Infection

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All Cause Re-operation*

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Related Re-operation**

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All cause Interventions*

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Related Interventions**

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All Cause Readmissions*

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - Exemplary

    Related Readmissions**

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - Exemplary

     

    Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

    Total Cases - 27

    Morbidity

    Observed events - 2

    Rate: 7.41%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All Occurrence Morbidity

    Observed events - 4

    Rate: 14.81%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Serious Event

    Observed events - 1

    Rate: 3.7%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Leak

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Bleeding

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Surgical Site Infection

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All Cause Re-operation*

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Related Re-operation**

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All cause Interventions*

    Observed events - 1

    Rate: 3.7%

    Assessment - As Expected

    Related Interventions**

    Observed events - 0

    Rate: 0%

    Assessment - As Expected

    All Cause Readmissions*

    Observed events - 4

    Rate: 14.81%

    Assessment - As expected

    Related Readmissions**

    Observed events - 3

    Rate: 11.11%

    Assessment - As Expected

     

    *All Cause means that it is not related to the bariatric surgery.

    **Related means that it was directly related to the bariatric surgery. 

    Readmissions and reoperations are tracked within 30 days of the operative procedure.

Then, schedule your consultation

Once we review your insurance, we will SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION with you.

During the consultation, you will:

  • Meet with a nurse, surgeon, and insurance specialist
  • Meet with the provider for an initial history and physical

After the evaluation, to ensure the healthiest transition to a life without the weight and to comply with any insurance mandates, you will be scheduled for the following:

  • Nutrition assessment
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Weight loss program (if your health insurance requires this)
  • Additional medical tests, as determined by the surgeon
  • Support group engagement

Once the program and insurance requirements are completed, we will submit your case to your insurance company for approval. As soon as we have insurance approval, we will move forward with scheduling pre-operative appointments and bariatric surgery.

Learn More About Insurance

Insurance & Financing

Once you contact us, we will verify your insurance benefits and eligibility and schedule your consultation. Any additional requirements by your insurance company will be reviewed with you at your initial consultation.

Insurance FAQs

Most insurance plans require that your BMI be 35 or higher. However, if your BMI is between 30 – 35, many insurance providers will also accept/cover services if you have a life-threatening medical condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or sleep apnea.

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