Out-Of-Town LAP-BAND Surgery
Patient Information

Northwest Weight Loss Surgery attracts patients from across the region, with many of our patients traveling long distances to have the LAP-BAND procedure performed by our surgeons. We appreciate this, and take good care of our out-of-town patients and their families.

Planning your First Visit

Much of the preliminary paperwork for your treatment -- including insurance approval -- can be completed by telephone, fax and email before you arrive for your visit. You can also have any necessary medical tests done in your local area. Call us at 800-979-8982 to begin this process and to plan your pre-surgery visit.

During your first office visit you will meet with one of our nurses who has had LAP-BAND surgery, one of the surgeons, and our psychologist.

Pre-op Supervised Diet

Some of our patients are asked to lose 10-30 pounds just before their surgery. Losing ten pounds before surgery will shrink your liver, decrease surgery time, lower risks and decrease bleeding. It often helps to use a medically supervised diet such as Medifast. We do offer a limited selection of these products at a discount in our clinic. Our patients can also order undiscounted products directly from Medifast at northwestweightloss.medifastdiet.com. You will also find an array of products that we do not have room to stock at the clinic.

Where to Stay

Based on feedback from out-of-town patients and their families, we recommend the nearby Holiday Inn Express (131 128th Street, Everett, WA 98208, 425-609-4000). Patients tell us the staff are friendly, and rooms are clean and have coffee makers and refrigerators. Tell them you are coming to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery for our corporate rate.

Post-Op Care

We can often do your post-operative check over the telephone if you are able to e-mail digital pictures of your surgical incisions. We can also arrange local band adjustments through your hospital's interventional radiology department to save you a trip.

Out of Area Band Adjustments

Bellingham office hours are available twice a month, on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month. The facility is NorthStar Medical Specialists located at 1333 King Street, Suite B, Bellingham, WA 98229.

Yakima office hours are available on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. The facility and schedule changed in May 2007 to the Sleep Center at Memorial, 406 S. 30th Ave, Suite 206, Yakima, WA 98902.

Spokane office hours are twice a month on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The location is Columbia Diagnostic Imaging, 3010 S. Southeast Blvd, Spokane, WA, 99223.

Please call the office at (800) 979-8982 or (425) 385-2263 to schedule appointments for all locations.