Steps to Surgery


Please know that bariatric surgery is not an overnight process. Our goal is to make sure you qualify for the procedure, that you will be safe to undergo an operation, and that you will be prepared for long-term success after your operation.

If you are serious about having bariatric surgery, you need to do the following:

  1. Contact our office by email, phone or through our online seminar registration tool to register for a free informational seminar. You may also schedule an office consultation if you wish. You will receive a packet of information to fill out and return to our office, along with a program fee.
  2. Call the phone number on your insurance card to determine if weight loss surgery is a covered benefit or call us for financial planning/self-pay options. You may need a special number called a “CPT code” to get insurance approval and our office can provide this to you.
  3. Meet with Dr. Voellinger and our staff at Southeast Bariatrics to determine the best weight loss surgical option for you.
  4. Undergo extensive pre-operative education, evaluation and testing, along with insurance pre-certification and financial planning.
  5. Have your weight loss surgery and begin your journey to a new, healthier life!
  6. For a more detailed description please see: STEPS FOR PATIENTS form.


1. Initial Patient Packet (currently under revision will have for you soon)

2. Pre-Operative Forms to include:
a. Pre-Op Evaluation Process
b. Nutrition Questionnaire
c. Psychology Questionnaire 
d. Exercise Questionnaire
e. Pre-op Forms for PCP
f. UGI and H.Pylori instructions with directions to imaging center 
g. Medical Records release
h. Operative Consents

3. Post-Operative Forms to include:
a. Discharge Instruction Sheet 
b. Post-operative Diets
c. Post-operative Patient Questionnaire

Steps For Patients Steps For Patients

Post-Op Diet Post-Op Diet
Soft Foods

Post-Op Diet Post-Op Diet
Full Liquid Diet

Post-Op Diet Post-Op Diet
Low-fat, low-cal foods

Post-Op Diet Post-Op Diet
Pureed Diet

Informed consent LAGB for BMI less than 35 Informed consent LAGB for BMI less than 35

Informed consent Lap BPD-DS Informed consent Lap BPD-DS

Informed consent Lap RYGB Informed consent Lap RYGB

Patient Discharge Instructions Patient Discharge Instructions

Walk From Obesity Walk From Obesity