Weight Loss Surgery will be Cut for State Employees

The Bariatric Surgery Benefit for Georgia State Employees and Teachers has been Slated for Elimination. We Need Your Help to Preserve this Important Benefit

The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) has proposed to eliminate coverage of bariatric surgery for its state employees and teachers in 2012. The elimination of coverage has already started impacting some employees and teachers, as they are not being permitted to start their required 6-month medical weight management programs.

There is still time to act and save this important benefit! We need you to write your legislators and urge them to oppose this proposed cut that would impact many Georgia state employees and teachers affected by obesity.

We’ve made it easy for you to contact your elected officials, just CLICK HERE to visit the OAC Legislative Action Center, and be sure to add your personal story where indicated. Personal stories are powerful and your legislators need to hear how obesity impacts you.

CLICK HERE to Send Your Letter to Your Legislator Now!

The OAC Wants to also Hear Directly from State Employees who Have Already Been Denied Access

The OAC is also creating a database of state employees/teachers who have been denied access to bariatric surgery under the new rule. If you have been denied such coverage, please share your story and contact information by writing info@obesityaction.org. Our goal is to recruit state employees/teachers to call key legislators and officials and share how the cut to this benefit would impact their health and well being.

Obesity Action Coalition
4511 North Himes Ave., Suite 250
Tampa, FL 33614
www.obesityaction.org

Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics has recently joined forces with “Real Results … Weight Loss Solutions” to provide immediate and long term follow-up for patients undergoing weight loss surgery.

Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, etc.) has been used increasingly for patients who have struggled with their weight and have failed multiple diet plans in achieving a healthy weight.  Bariatric surgery promotes weight loss by restricting the amount of food that a person can consume at any one time.  Along with a healthy exercise program and proper dietary counseling, patients have been able to lose as much as 50 – 80% of their excess weight using bariatric surgery.  However, many patients who have had weight loss surgery have regained some or all of their lost weight back again, putting them at risk for complications (hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, etc.) associated with the obesity epidemic we now face.

Following the surgery studies have shown that individuals who commit to continued postoperative dietary counseling, behavioral counseling and exercise, have achieved long-term success in maintaining their weight loss and losing many of the comorbidities associated with excess weight.

In an effort to provide a long-term healthy solution for patients struggling with their weight, Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics has partnered with “Real Results Weight Loss Solutions” to provide aftercare for patients having weight loss surgery.

Real Results specializes in long term aftercare incorporating programs that engage patients in long-term follow-up with dietary, exercise, and behavioral counseling.  Losing and maintaining lost weight can be very challenging, even with those who’ve used the tool of bariatric surgery.  As quoted by Real Results’ executive director, Vanessa Moody,  “this is why Real Results was established, to help patients maintain success in achieving their health oriented goals. Everybody could use a little help sometime”.

On your next office visit to Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics, ask about the “Real Results Solution” or simply call 404-233-3833 and ask for a consultation.