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What is laparoscopic (minimally invasive surgery) surgery?
During the surgical procedure, small
incisions of up to half an inch are made and plastic tubes called
ports are placed through these incisions. The camera and
the instruments are then introduced through the ports which allow
the surgeon to view these images and perform the surgery.
What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery?
· Less
discomfort after surgery since the incisions are much smaller
· Much
smaller scars
· Shorter
hospital stays
· Quicker
recovery time
· Earlier
return to full activities
How soon after gastric bypass can I eat food?
The
first two weeks after surgery you will be on a liquid diet along
with protein shakes. By the third week, your diet will be progressed
to a “mushies” diet which is blended and soft foods such
as meatloaf, fish, cream of wheat, tuna/egg salad and other soft
foods. After that week, if you are progressing well, you will
return to regular foods.
Do I need to follow a liquid diet BEFORE surgery?
Yes, you will be
on a clear liquid diet for 14 days prior to your surgery. During this time you can also have unlimited
amounts of non-starchy vegetables such as salads, green beans, cabbage,
carrots, eggplant, broccoli and cauliflower. Your liquids will
include water, crystal light, soup broth and diet beverages. You
will also be drinking protein shakes during this time. This
period is designed to help clean out your colon and help to lose
weight before surgery.
How much weight does the typical person lose one year
after bypass?
Most people lose 80-150 or more pounds, depending on
your weight you started with, during the 12 months after gastric
bypass surgery.
How much weight does the typical person lose one year
after gastric banding?
Most people with
the gastric band lose between 40-80 pounds after surgery, if they don’t
cheat between meals.
How much time do I need to take off work after weight
loss surgery?
It
depends on what you do for a living. If you have a physically
laborious occupation you may need 4-6 weeks. If less strenuous,
you may only need 2-3 weeks.
Do I need to eat or drink anything special after weight
loss surgery?
Yes, you will need
to drink protein shakes for at least 3 weeks after surgery. The shakes we recommend can be purchased
at Walgreen’s, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Wal-Mart and Target or
your food store.
Does diabetes go away after weight loss surgery?
After gastric bypass
surgery, many people’s diabetes
will go into remission. Diabetes is cured for many at a 92%
cure rate.
When can I start exercising after weight loss surgery?
The
day of surgery patients start walking. During the first month
after surgery, most patients are walking about 20-30 minutes daily. About
4 weeks after surgery, many patients are able to exercise vigorously. However,
we do not recommend lifting more than 10 pounds in the first couple
weeks after surgery.
I heard
that some people regain all their weight a couple of years after
weight loss surgery?
About 50% of patients, 5 years after
weight loss surgery can regain some weight. Usually, the regain is due to no longer
following the rules and starting again with eating junk foods and
from lack of exercise. Weight loss surgery is a tool, not a
cure for obesity. Sustained behavioral changes are necessary
for life long weight loss.
How much will it cost me to have weight loss surgery?
Your out of pocket
expense is determined by the type of insurance you have. Please
call your insurance plan and find out if weight loss surgery is a covered
benefit for you and what your total out of pocket expense/deductibles
will be.
What kind of specialists will I need to consult prior
to approval for weight loss surgery?
You
will need to have consultations with a pulmonologist, psychologist,
gastroenterologist and possibly a cardiologist. You will be
responsible for scheduling these visits and paying needed co-pays.
How do I know if my insurance company will approve my
surgery?
Insurance plans
differ. Please call your insurance
plan to determine if weight loss surgery is a covered benefit for
you. Most insurance plans will cover weight loss surgery if
your BMI is greater than 40 or if your BMI is 35 or greater with
co-morbid health problems, such as hypertension, diabetes and /or
sleep apnea.
Can the surgery be revised?
Typically, gastric bypass surgery is not revised but
if needed it can be done. Gastric bands can also be revised
if there is a presenting problem with the band.
Do I need to lose weight before surgery?
Yes, you need to lose weight prior
to weight loss surgery for insurance approval. Our team will help you lose weight.
How long do I need to stay in the hospital?
Most patients stay one night in the hospital after gastric
banding and gastric bypass surgery.
How do I schedule an appointment to see the surgeon?
Please call your
insurance to find out if you have weight loss surgery benefits. If
you do, please call our office to schedule an appointment at (609)
581-6060. If you need a referral, please bring it with you to your
appointment.
Can I drink alcohol after surgery?
We
recommend not drinking alcohol after gastric bypass or gastricbanding
surgery. Alcohol has a lot of calories, can irritate the stomach
and can deter the weight loss process.
What is dumping syndrome?
If
one consumes too much sugar or fat after weight loss surgery then “dumping
syndrome” can occur. Dumping syndrome results in dizziness,
sweating, nausea, possible vomiting, diarrhea and/or feelings of
fainting. Dumping results from eating the “wrong” foods. If
you don’t eat the “wrong” foods, then you won’t
have this!
How long does it take before I can get approved for weight
loss surgery?
It
typically takes about 6 months to get the necessary tests and visits
for insurance approval.
How long do I have to take vitamins for?
You
will ALWAYS need to take vitamins following gastric bypass surgery
and gastric banding as your intake of food is restricted. After
bypass and gastric banding surgery you will ALWAYS need to take a
multivitamin with iron, B12 and calcium supplements.
Are there foods that I
won’t be able to eat after
surgery?
Many people have problems with dry and stringy foods
such as tough dry meats or celery. However, everyone is different
and many people don’t have a problem.
Will
I need plastic surgery after I loss weight?
With proper diet, vitamins and exercise, most people
will not have excessive skin issues that require plastic surgery. Some
individuals, who were extremely heavy prior to surgery, will have
skin that will need to be removed due to medical issues.
Can I still get pregnant after weight loss surgery?
Typically, most women get MORE fertile after weight loss. We
recommend that effective birth control is used for 18 months after
surgery. Pregnancy during the 18 months after weight loss surgery
can be dangerous for the mother and could result in greater incidence
of birth defects for the baby. Therefore, we recommend you
wait 18 months after surgery before getting pregnant.
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