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Your consultation
A full hour, one-on-one with Dr. Geller. No group seminar, no ten-minute visit, no decision made for you.
Why there are no seminar dates on this page
Most bariatric programs begin with a scheduled group informational seminar. Dr. Geller stopped doing that years ago.
Whether the room held 5 people or 50, attendees were not coming away with the depth of understanding needed to make an informed decision about a life-altering surgery. General presentations answer general questions. They do not tell you what your reflux history means for your choice of operation, or how your particular medication list interacts with a bypass.
So the entire seminar is now delivered inside your consultation, one-on-one, scheduled for a full hour. The feedback on this change has been the best of anything this practice has done.
Don't settle for a 5–10 minute consultation with the doctor who is going to perform a life-altering surgery on you.
What the hour covers
- Your weight history and what you have already tried
- Your current medical conditions and medications
- How each operation works, in enough detail to actually understand it
- Whether weight loss medication alone might suit you better
- Realistic expected results for someone in your situation
- The risks that specifically apply to you
- What life looks like at one month, one year, and ten years out
- Nutrition, supplements, and follow-up requirements
- Insurance criteria and the approval process
- Every question you brought with you
How to prepare
You will get more out of the hour with a little preparation. None of this is required.
- Write your questions down. Everyone forgets at least one, and it is usually the one they cared about most.
- Bring a current medication list, including supplements and anything over the counter.
- Know your weight history roughly — highest weight, current weight, and what has worked or failed before.
- Bring records of any previous abdominal or bariatric surgery if you have them. If you do not, that is not a barrier.
- Check your insurance for bariatric surgery coverage and any pre-approval requirements. We will help, but knowing what your plan says is a head start.
- Bring someone with you if it would help. Two people remember more than one.
Common questions
Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
Usually not to make an appointment, though some insurance plans require one for coverage. Call the office at (502) 893-7151 and we will tell you what your plan needs.
How long does the whole process take, from first visit to surgery?
Most of the timeline is driven by insurance requirements rather than by surgical scheduling. Many plans require a documented supervised weight loss period, nutrition visits, and a psychological evaluation before they will authorize surgery. Depending on the plan, that commonly runs three to six months. We will map out your specific path at the consultation.
Will insurance cover it?
Many plans do, with conditions. Coverage typically depends on your BMI, documented weight-related conditions, and completion of the plan's required steps. Some plans exclude bariatric surgery entirely. Verifying your specific benefits early is the single most useful thing you can do.
One requirement to check specifically: some plans will only cover surgery at an MBSAQIP-accredited facility. PMC Regional Hospital is not accredited under that program, so if your plan carries that requirement it affects whether this practice is an option for you. More on accreditation and what it measures →
What if I am not sure I want surgery?
That is a completely reasonable position, and the consultation is the right place to sort it out. Nobody is going to push you toward an operation. Some patients leave deciding to proceed, some leave deciding to wait, and some leave deciding that medication or another route fits them better.
Can I come in just for weight loss medication, without surgery?
Yes. The practice runs a full medical weight loss program — prescription medication, nutrition counseling with a dietitian, and regular follow-up — entirely independent of surgery, and a large share of patients here never have an operation. More about medical weight loss →
Can I do the consultation by video?
Yes for many visits. Telemedicine has been particularly valuable for long-distance patients. Some care must still be provided in person. More about telehealth visits →
Am I too old, or too heavy, or not heavy enough?
These are questions worth asking a surgeon rather than the internet. Current national guidelines consider surgery appropriate at a BMI of 35 and above regardless of other conditions, and at 30 to 34.9 with metabolic disease. Age alone rarely disqualifies anyone. Calculate your BMI →
Schedule your hour.
Call the office and we will find a time. In-person and telehealth appointments both available.