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.

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.

• Does my insurance have benefits for weight loss surgery?

  For commercial insurance policies: Contact the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask this question exactly. “In my certificate of coverage are there benefits for weight loss surgery for morbid obesity if medically necessary?”
  
  For Medicare: There are benefits for weight loss surgery as long as the criteria is met. There is no need to contact Medicare and Medicaid.

• If I meet the co-morbid and bmi requirements do I still have to do a diet?

  Most insurance companies that require a diet still require the diet no matter how many co-morbid diagnoses you have.

   
• If my doctor writes a letter saying I really need the surgery, do I still have to diet?

  YES… the diet is part of criteria set by your insurance company. Your physician can write you a letter of support which will assist in obtaining approval, but you still have to complete the diet.

• My co-worker/friend started the same time I did, why are they moving through the process faster than me?

  This is a question that is asked a lot… sometimes additional testing is required, one primary care may get the documentation back faster, or if your friend has a different insurance than you, maybe you were required to do a diet and your friend was not. If the insurances are different, then it may be because one insurance just takes longer to process than the other.

• My insurance says I need a medically supervised diet, what does that mean?

  Usually the diet must be for at least 6 full months, which is one initial visit and 6 follow-up visits. Your appointments must be consecutive and the diet must be successful, meaning your end weight must be the same or less than your start weight.

• What if my insurance says there is an exclusion in my policy?

  This means that your particular plan does not have benefits for weight loss surgery, no matter if you meet the medical necessity requirements or not. Your insurance may tell you that you have appeal rights, keep in mind that you will be appealing policy and not medical necessity. If there are no benefits for weight loss surgery it basically means that the benefit was not purchased by your company.

• If my insurance will not pay for the surgery, can I pay for the surgery myself?

  We do offer bariatric surgery for patients who would like to pay out-of-pocket. Financing options are available through MD save. Pricing information can be found at mdsave.com/saline.

• What kinds of medications and/or vitamins will I need to take after surgery?

  Many patients are able to stop using some medications such as those for diabetes or high blood-pressure if these health issues are directly related to their weight. It is recommended that bariatric surgery patients maintain a vitamin regimen indefinitely after their procedure.

• My question about insurance wasn't addressed…

  Please send an email to Rilee.Martinez@salinememorial.org.