Bariatric Surgery Resources in Sacramento
Making an informed decision about weight loss surgery starts with understanding the facts — about obesity as a disease, insurance coverage, candidacy requirements, and the latest research.
As Sacramento’s only double board-certified obesity medicine and bariatric surgery specialist, Dr. Machado is committed to educating patients about all aspects of their weight loss journey.
Below you’ll find comprehensive resources designed to help you understand your options, navigate the process, and stay informed about the science behind successful obesity treatment.
Understanding the Disease of Obesity
Obesity is a progressive, life-threatening disease—not a failure of willpower or inability to follow a diet. This complex condition impacts your metabolism, hunger hormones, and your body’s ability to lose and maintain weight loss. The mechanisms are often inherited and can express themselves at different stages of life. Dr. Machado’s patients are some of the most dedicated dieters she’s ever met—they’ve lost significant weight multiple times, only to have the disease work against them through biological mechanisms designed to prevent weight loss and encourage regain. Research shows that 96% of people with obesity cannot maintain long-term weight loss through diet alone. Understanding obesity as a medical condition requiring medical treatment is the first step toward finding a solution that actually works.
Learn more about the Disease of Obesity →
Surgery Requirements & Evaluation
Wondering if you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery? Eligibility generally includes having a BMI of 40 or higher, a BMI of 35 or higher with serious obesity-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, or a BMI of 30 or higher specifically for difficult-to-control diabetes. Beyond BMI requirements, candidates should have attempted previous supervised weight loss methods without lasting success and be prepared for lifelong commitment to lifestyle changes and medical follow-up. Our comprehensive evaluation process includes assessment by Dr. Machado’s multidisciplinary team, covering medical, surgical, nutritional, and psychological aspects of your candidacy. Understanding what’s required and what to expect helps you approach this decision with confidence and realistic expectations about the life-changing results bariatric surgery can deliver.
Learn more about Surgery Requirements & Evaluation →
Bariatric Surgery Insurance & Affordability
Insurance coverage for bariatric surgery is available through most health plans, and Sacramento Bariatric contracts with the majority of carriers to help make treatment accessible. Our experienced team will help you navigate the authorization process, review your Certificate of Coverage, and develop a clear timeline for meeting your insurance requirements. We handle all the documentation, pre-surgical testing, and required evaluations—including dietary and behavioral health assessments—to streamline your path to approval. For patients without coverage or with exclusions, we offer cash pay packages and accept CareCredit financing options. Many patients are surprised to learn that bariatric surgery often pays for itself within two years through reduced medication costs, fewer doctor visits, and elimination of expensive weight loss programs—with some patients saving over $900 monthly as early as 13 months after surgery.
Learn more about Insurance & Affordability →
Weight Loss Blog & Research
Stay informed about the latest research and evidence-based insights on obesity treatment, bariatric surgery outcomes, and long-term weight management strategies. Dr. Machado’s blog features articles on cutting-edge studies covering topics like the role of gut microbiome in weight loss, long-term survival benefits of bariatric surgery, diabetes remission through surgical treatment, and the science behind why professional obesity treatment outperforms self-directed weight loss attempts. These evidence-based articles help you understand the biological mechanisms behind weight regain, the metabolic benefits of surgery, and the environmental factors that influence eating habits—empowering you with knowledge to make informed decisions about your health.