Critical Questions

Weight loss surgery is a life-changing decision. It’s imperative that you take the time to research your options, including who you choose as your bariatric surgeon.

Critical questions you need to ask your bariatric surgeon

Below are the most critical questions to ask your bariatric surgeon before proceeding with weight loss surgery.

Is Roller Weight Loss an MBSAQIP Accredited Center?

In 2014, the bariatric weight loss surgery program at Physicians’ Specialty Hospital and Dr. Josh Roller of Roller Weight Loss, the program’s medical director, was designated as a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Accredited Center by The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and The American College of Surgeons (ASC).

Is Roller Weight Loss endorsed by Medicare and Medicaid?

After a lengthy and rigorous review process — including demonstrating low complication rates from surgery, a committed long-term plan for follow-up care, data submissions, and outstanding patient outcomes — The ASMBS and The ACS designated the bariatric weight loss surgery program at Physicians’ Specialty Hospital, Northwest Springdale, and Roller Weight Loss as MBSAQIP Accredited Centers, the highest recognition given. Because this accreditation promotes safer outcomes for bariatric surgery patients, major insurance payers, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, endorse the performance of metabolic and bariatric surgery by surgeons and hospitals with this prestigious award.

Is Roller Weight Loss a BSCOE designee?

Physicians’ Specialty Hospital and Roller Weight Loss are also a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® (BSCOE). However, most insurance companies and The ASMBS only recognize centers that are MBSAQIP Accredited. This simply means that more patients have the option of weight loss surgery at Physicians’ Specialty Hospital because many insurance plans provide better coverage for bariatric surgery at an MBSAQIP Accredited facility. So, yes, we are a BSCOE — but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean much anymore.

How many weight loss procedures have you performed?

Experience matters, and it’s critical that your surgeon has the confidence and skill that only an extensive number of surgical cases can provide. Your surgeon’s expertise can give you the comfort that you need. Dr. Roller has performed more than 8,000 weight loss procedures, including the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the sleeve gastrectomy, and the lap gastric banding procedure — all yielding great results.

Dr. Kwon has performed more than 1,500 weight loss procedures. Dr. Roller and Dr. Kwon perform weight loss procedures laparoscopically, which can result in less pain, faster recovery, fewer complications, and a quicker return to your busy schedule. For more information on the laparoscopic approach and weight loss procedures performed by our physicians, click here.

Are you fellowship trained in bariatric surgery?

Not all training programs are created equal. It’s very important that your bariatric surgeon has a great deal of experience and training in the field of weight loss surgery for you to gain ultimate peace of mind about your surgery. A surgeon’s desire to obtain a fellowship demonstrates their commitment to the highest level of training. Dr. Roller, Dr. Kwon, Dr. Dutton, and Dr. Pries are the only group of fellowship-trained bariatric and advanced laparoscopic surgeons in Arkansas.

What is the education and background of your weight loss surgery specialists?

Dr. Roller

Dr. Roller completed his minimally invasive surgical fellowship in bariatric and advanced laparoscopic general surgery at Duke University Medical Center, one of the premier bariatric surgery centers in the country.

Dr. Kwon

Dr. Kwon earned his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He completed his residency and served as chief resident at the University of Washington Department of Surgery in Seattle, where he also completed his senior fellowship and served as an acting instructor at the Center of Videoendoscopic Surgery.

Dr. Kristin Roller

Dr. Kristin Roller graduated from medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. She completed her internship and residency in family medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Dutton completed her undergraduate education in biology at Johns Hopkins University prior to attending medical school at the University of Kansas. She completed her general surgery residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania and completed a fellowship in advanced minimally invasive bariatric and general surgery at Stanford University.

Dr. Pries

Dr. Pries is a graduate of the University of Kansas Medical School. Her general surgery residency was completed at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. She returned to the Midwest for advanced minimally invasive surgery training at the University of Missouri Bariatric Surgery Fellowship.

Do you offer multiple weight loss procedures?

Not everyone needs the same weight loss procedure. That’s why you must talk with your doctor about the surgical option that’s right for you. By offering multiple procedures, your surgeon can assure you that your individual needs will be met. Our surgeons perform three laparoscopic procedures: the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the sleeve gastrectomy, and the lap gastric banding or Lap-Band® procedure. They are well versed and well trained in all three, and can offer you the assurance that your health is in the best of hands. Click below for more information on our weight loss procedures:

Should I get a second opinion?

Weight loss surgery will change your life forever. You only get one chance to make this choice, so be sure you make the right one. A second opinion for your weight loss procedure is crucial in order to give you the confidence that you’re making the right decision for you and your future. Our entire team takes great pride in helping our patients make the right choice for their health, and this includes encouraging patients to do their research and ask the big questions. We want to make sure that you’re completely comfortable about your surgery and fully prepared for the new life that awaits you.