Weight Loss Surgery

What Should you ask Your Surgeon?

What types of weight loss surgery have you performed?

How many surgeries have you performed?

Can this surgery be performed with minimally invasive techniques?

Am I a candidate for surgery, even if I have one or more health conditions related to obesity?

Which procedure is appropriate for me and why?

What are the risks associated with the procedure?

How long will I be in surgery?

How long is the typical hospital stay?

How long will it take to return to pre-surgery levels of activity?

How will my eating habits change?

Can you provide information about surgery costs and payment options?

What are your patients’ typical excess weight losses and improvements of obesity-related health conditions?

Would any of your patients be willing to share their experiences with me?

What information can you provide to help my friends and family fully understand the procedure?

What kind of long-term, aftercare services (support groups, counseling) can you provide?

If I choose a surgical solution, what do you expect from me as a patient?

* More information can be found at the American Society for Bariatric Surgery website, http://www.asbs.org/.

Beginning a New Life After Surgery

Surgery is not a “quick-fix” solution; it is only the beginning to starting a healthier life. Constant vigilance with your diet, exercise and many other life changes is required to gain the maximum benefits from whatever procedure you choose.

Diet

The modifications made to your gastrointestinal tract will require permanent changes in your eating habits. Post-surgery dietary guidelines will vary by surgeons and other sources. Be sure to follow the guidelines provided by your surgeon, as they are designed upon your specific needs and your procedure. The following are fundamental dietary rules:

• When you are cleared to begin eating solid food again, be sure it is very well chewed.
• Do not drink fluids when eating. They will cause you to feel full before you have consumed enough food.
• Omit deserts and other foods that list sugar as one of the first three ingredients.
• Omit carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, high-fat foods and foods high in fiber content.
• Avoid alcohol.
• No snacking between meals.

Returning to Work

Your ability to resume pre-surgery activity levels depends on many factors, including your physical condition, the type of activity and the type of surgery you had. Many patients return to pre-surgery levels of activity within six weeks of their procedure. Patients who had minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures may be able to return to activities within just a few weeks.

Birth Control and Pregnancy

It is highly recommended that women of childbearing age use the most effective forms of birth control a minimum of one year following weight loss surgery. The added demands of pregnancy and the potential for fetal damage make this a most important requirement.

Long-term Considerations

While the short-term effects of weight loss surgery are well understood, questions regarding the long-term effects on nutrition and body systems still remain. You will need periodic blood work to check for anemia and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Later on, tests will be needed only every one to two years.

Support Groups

While weight loss surgery is a very effective device, it does not instantly resolve years of accumulated emotional damage and it is very common for patients to seek support, advice and encouragement. The best forum for this is a widespread network of support groups comprised of fellow weight loss surgery patients and medical professionals, because they provide an open and honest environment for sharing and discussing various personal issues and experiences. Our program Bariatric surgeon, maintains that post-surgery support groups help patients to attain their highest level of success following weight loss surgery by providing much needed motivation, support and honest advice. Here at Northeast Baptist hospital, we are dedicated to your sustained success in achieving your weight loss goals and, for this reason, our program Bariatric surgeon hosts a monthly general support group and the program psychologist hosts a monthly psychological support group.