Steven M. Fass, MD, FACS
Weight Loss Clinic in Austin, Texas
About Steven M. Fass, MD, FACS
Dr. Steven M. Fass is a board-certified surgeon with the FACS designation, meaning he's a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His practice in Austin covers both surgical and non-surgical weight loss options, making it one of the few local options where you can get a full clinical picture of what's appropriate for your situation without being steered toward one approach over another.
The practice has a 4.3 rating across reviews, which reflects reasonably consistent patient satisfaction. Reviewers frequently mention Dr. Fass's directness and willingness to explain the clinical reasoning behind his recommendations. The practice is smaller and more boutique than a large hospital-affiliated bariatric program, which some patients appreciate and others find limiting in terms of support staff and group programming.
Services Offered
Dr. Fass offers both bariatric surgery consultations and non-surgical weight loss management. On the surgical side, he performs or refers for procedures including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band revision work. Consultations include a thorough review of surgical candidacy, which involves BMI assessment, comorbidity evaluation, psychological readiness screening, and insurance authorization support. For patients who aren't surgical candidates or who prefer a non-surgical path, the practice offers medically supervised weight loss with prescription medications, including newer GLP-1 receptor agonists that have become widely used in the last few years. Lab monitoring is routine, and Dr. Fass personally reviews results rather than delegating entirely to support staff. Nutrition guidance is available through the practice, though it's more focused on pre- and post-surgical needs than general dietary coaching. The practice also offers follow-up care for patients who had bariatric surgery elsewhere and need ongoing management or revision consultations. That's a meaningful service gap that Dr. Fass fills in the Austin market.
Treatment Options
Bariatric Surgery Consultation and Coordination
Full surgical candidacy evaluation covering BMI, comorbidities, psychological readiness, and insurance authorization for procedures including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
GLP-1 Medication Management
Prescription and monitoring of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, with lab follow-up and dosage titration under Dr. Fass's direct supervision.
Revision Bariatric Surgery Consultation
Evaluation for patients who had a previous bariatric procedure and are dealing with regain, complications, or inadequate initial results. Includes imaging review and surgical options discussion.
Medically Supervised Non-Surgical Weight Loss
Physician-managed weight loss using prescription medications, lab monitoring, and dietary guidance for patients who don't meet surgical criteria or prefer a non-surgical approach.
What to Expect
The first step is a consultation where Dr. Fass reviews your full medical history, current weight, and any previous weight loss attempts. For surgical patients, this includes a detailed explanation of each procedure's mechanism, expected outcomes, and risks so you can make an informed decision.
If you're pursuing surgery, the pre-operative process typically involves additional lab work, cardiology clearance if indicated, nutrition counseling, and insurance documentation. The timeline from initial consultation to surgery date depends heavily on insurance authorization, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
For non-surgical patients, the process is more iterative. You'll start with a treatment plan that may include prescription medication, dietary changes, and follow-up appointments to assess response. Dr. Fass adjusts the approach based on how you're tolerating the medication and what your labs show.
Post-operative patients receive structured follow-up care at defined intervals: typically one week, one month, three months, six months, and annually thereafter. Patients who run into complications or hit a regain plateau can schedule additional visits outside the standard cadence.
Why Choose Steven M. Fass, MD, FACS
The main reason to choose Dr. Fass over a franchise-style weight loss clinic is the depth of surgical expertise. If there's any chance bariatric surgery is the right path for you, it's worth having a surgeon evaluate you rather than starting with a program that can only offer non-surgical options. That doesn't mean surgery is always the answer, but the consultation will be more clinically complete.
His smaller practice also means you're not being seen by a rotating staff of nurses and physician assistants. Dr. Fass is personally involved in patient care in a way that's hard to replicate in larger, high-volume programs. Reviews consistently note that he's straightforward and explains things clearly without being dismissive.
The downside is that a smaller practice has fewer support resources. There's no in-house bariatric support group, limited group nutrition classes, and less hand-holding between appointments compared to hospital-based programs. If you need a high level of ongoing support infrastructure, a larger program may serve you better.
Insurance & Pricing
Bariatric surgery is covered by most major insurance plans when patients meet clinical criteria, which typically includes a BMI over 40 or over 35 with obesity-related health conditions. The practice works with patients on insurance authorization and can help document medical necessity. Out-of-pocket costs for surgery vary widely by plan but can range from a few thousand to $20,000 or more without insurance. Non-surgical weight loss management is billed as standard medical visits, which most insurance plans cover at your normal cost-sharing rate. Prescription costs for GLP-1 medications can be significant without good pharmacy coverage.
First-Time Patient Tips
If you're considering bariatric surgery, come to the consultation with your insurance card and a list of your current medications and health conditions. The authorization process goes faster when the practice has complete documentation from the start. Be honest about your weight history, including any previous surgeries, since revision cases require different planning than primary procedures.
For non-surgical patients, don't hesitate to ask Dr. Fass about GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide if you haven't tried them. The evidence base for these medications is strong, and they're increasingly first-line for patients who don't want surgery.
Ask at your first visit what the follow-up schedule looks like and who you call if you have questions between appointments. Knowing the communication process upfront reduces anxiety, especially in the early weeks after any procedure or new medication start.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Dual expertise in surgical and non-surgical weight loss means you get a complete clinical picture rather than a recommendation shaped by what the practice can offer.
- Dr. Fass is personally involved in patient care rather than delegating entirely to support staff, which patients consistently cite as a positive.
- Revision bariatric surgery experience fills a real gap in the Austin market for patients whose original surgery didn't deliver lasting results.
Things to Consider
- The smaller practice has fewer support resources like in-house support groups, group nutrition classes, or dedicated dietitian staff compared to hospital-affiliated bariatric programs.
- Insurance authorization for surgery can be a slow and frustrating process, and smaller practices have less administrative bandwidth to chase payers compared to large hospital programs.
Service Area
Dr. Fass's Austin practice serves patients from across the greater Austin metro area including the Domain, Arboretum, Northwest Hills, and Cedar Park. Patients also travel from Georgetown, Leander, and Round Rock for surgical consultations. The office is accessible from MoPac and 183, making it reasonable for patients coming from the western and northern suburbs. On-site parking is available.
Local Insight
Austin's rapid growth has increased demand for bariatric and weight loss services significantly over the last five years. The north and northwest parts of the city, where Dr. Fass's practice is located, have a large population of working-age adults who are often looking for medical weight management that fits around demanding work schedules. His practice is well-positioned for that demographic given the location and the availability of non-surgical options that don't require extended medical leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Fass perform bariatric surgery himself?
Can I be seen here if I only want non-surgical weight loss?
What GLP-1 medications does the practice prescribe?
How long does bariatric surgery insurance authorization take?
I had a gastric band placed years ago and I'm having problems. Can Dr. Fass help?
What does the post-surgery follow-up schedule look like?
Is bariatric surgery covered by my insurance?
How do I know if I'm a surgical candidate?
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