Mayo Clinic's approach
Arizona
Mayo Clinic in Arizona has performed bariatric surgery procedures since 2001. Medically supervised interventions include nutrition therapy, behavior modification, pharmacotherapy, and weight-loss surgery, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Minimally invasive surgery is the preferred approach. For out-of-state patients, we offer efficient, condensed scheduling. We will work with health care providers in your area to meet your needs.
Bariatric program informational seminars
Mayo Clinic conducts regular informational seminars for people interested in learning more about the medical and surgical options available through the Mayo Clinic Bariatric Surgery Program. The interactive seminars, conducted by doctors and other members of the bariatric surgery treatment team, include:
- A description of Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary program.
- Answers to questions about care and pre-certification.
- Details about the registration process.
Seminars are free of charge and open to anyone considering bariatric surgery. Feel free to bring family and friends.
The Bariatric Surgery Program informational seminars are held on select Tuesdays and Thursdays via Zoom. To register, or for questions, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free).
If you have questions about the Bariatric Surgery Program, call 480-342-1026 to speak with our bariatric surgery representative. Or send an email to mcaweightlosssurgery@mayo.edu.
Treatment team
A team of specialists works together to develop bariatric surgery treatment plans tailored to your needs. Your team can include experts in endocrinology, general surgery, community internal medicine, psychiatry and psychology, dietetics, and other specialists, as needed.
Bariatric Surgery Support Group
Bariatric Surgery Support Group meetings are open forums for sharing information and support in a safe setting. Meetings are led by one of Mayo Clinic's clinical health psychologists and are held via Zoom on the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mountain time. A Zoom link is sent to interested parties ahead of time.
These meetings are free and open to people who have had bariatric surgery at Mayo Clinic. For more information about the support group, call 480-342-1026.
Florida
Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida has a dedicated Bariatric Center to help people with obesity gain control of their weight. The Mayo Clinic team has more than 75 years of experience caring for bariatric surgery patients.
Treatment team
A team of specialists works together to develop bariatric treatment plans tailored to each person's needs. Your team can include bariatric specialists from endocrinology, gastroenterology and hepatology, general surgery, psychiatry and psychology, community internal medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy and nutrition, and other specialties, as needed.
Evaluation and appointments
The evaluation process usually takes about 3 to 8 months. It may be longer than eight months before the surgery due to insurance processing and scheduling. The preliminary evaluation for bariatric surgery in Florida can be completed in one day.
Physician referrals are not required but are encouraged. However, patients should have a primary care physician that the bariatric team can communicate with to help ensure the best continuity of care possible for patients. To begin the appointment process, call the Central Appointment Office at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus: 904-953-0853.
Minnesota
Mayo Clinic surgeons in Minnesota perform over 400 bariatric procedures each year. Several surgeons at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have particular expertise in repairing previously unsuccessful bariatric surgeries, as well as treating people who are severely obese. Bariatric surgery is available for adults and adolescents who meet certain criteria.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, continues to be recognized as an American College of Surgeons Level 1 Accredited Bariatric Center, the highest level of accreditation in bariatric surgery. Because of this accreditation, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has also met Medicare's facility standards for bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery accreditation promotes standard benchmarks and supports continuous quality improvement.
Treatment team
The Mayo Clinic bariatric surgery care team in Minnesota consists of experts from endocrinology, dietetics, psychiatry and psychology, gastroenterologic and general surgery, and other specialists, as needed.
Evaluation
To begin the bariatric surgery process at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, use one of the following contact options:
- Weight management registered nurse: phone: 507-538-1565, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.
- Endocrinology: 507-284-1600, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.
The length of time from your initial appointment to the date of surgery is usually about 6 to 9 months. Your preliminary evaluation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester may last 2 to 3 days. If you are some distance from Mayo Clinic, you may be referred to a care provider in your local area to complete a portion of the evaluation. Near the end of the evaluation, you will meet with a surgeon to decide how to proceed.
Cost estimates
For questions about the cost of bariatric surgery, call Mayo Clinic Estimating Service at 507-284-4024.
Expertise and rankings
Experience
Between all three Mayo Clinic locations, surgeons perform more than 600 weight-loss surgeries each year.
Positive results
In a study of patients who had weight loss surgery at Mayo Clinic, 72% of people who were followed maintained long-term weight loss of 50% or more of excess body weight after three years. Only 10% of patients had complications following surgery.
Complex cases
Mayo Clinic specializes in repairing problems resulting from previous bariatric surgery, and performing bariatric surgery in patients with complicated medical histories who may not qualify for surgery at other institutions.
Minimally invasive approach
Mayo Clinic uses minimally invasive techniques for bariatric surgery whenever possible. This approach offers smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
Team approach
A team of medical experts, including endocrinologists, surgeons, dietitians and psychologists, helps identify candidates who could most benefit from surgery and works intensively with you before and after surgery to help achieve a long-lasting result. After the first year, follow-up care can be conducted by your hometown doctor, working closely with the Mayo team.
Pediatric and teen care
Childhood obesity has emerged as one of the most important public health problems in the United States. At Mayo Clinic, adolescent care includes evaluation for coexisting conditions as well as an assessment of the child's and family's understanding and readiness for a weight-loss procedure. Weight-loss surgery for adolescents is part of a multidisciplinary program with specific expertise in pediatric obesity, bariatric surgery, nutrition and psychology.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.