FAQs About Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss

Absolutely. Clinically obese people lose more weight with bariatric surgery than with any other medical weight-loss assistance.

During our first phone call, we will ask you some key questions about your weight-loss history and goals. We’ll let you know right away if we think you’re a good candidate for bariatric surgery. If you are a good candidate for one of our weight-loss procedures, you will need to give us additional information as soon as possible by filling out our questionnaire and intake forms. We are extremely efficient at getting eligible bariatric candidates into our program and on with their lives!

Learn more about who qualifies for bariatric surgery.

Bariatric weight-loss surgery solves more medical problems than any other single surgery. Weight reduction surgery dramatically improves the quality of life for 95 percent of patients. In many cases it improves weight-associated diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and pulmonary disease. Recent studies have shown an 83 percent reversal of Type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery.

Many people who want bariatric surgery are frustrated by all of the roadblocks they seem to encounter. At Bay Bariatrics we are experienced at helping people get through the pre-surgery process as quickly and efficiently as possible. We know that you’ve spent considerable time thinking about this. When you contact our office, we’ll answer your questions and help you map out the next steps. If you are excited to get started with scheduling your weight-loss procedure, you can start filling out our intake forms right now! 

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Success for permanent weight loss involves committing yourself to a new way of life. As you consider bariatric surgery, it is important to understand that success depends on your ability to make significant lifestyle changes. The operation itself will result in weight loss by forcing you to change your eating habits. For a truly successful outcome, however, it will be necessary to exercise regularly and follow the postoperative dietary guidelines. With your participation, the surgery will help you lose weight, and with continued commitment you can maintain that weight loss. We help our patients maintain the results of bariatric surgery and offer post-surgical treatment support and care.

Learn more about what our patients say about our program.

Support group dates and information.

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Precisely follow postoperative diet instructions.

Exercise regularly for 30 to 45 minutes per day, five days a week./li>

Attend support groups.

Begin eating three meals per day four to six weeks after surgery.

Make healthy food choices.

Don’t snack.

Don’t drink high-calorie beverages.

Don’t skip meals.

Don’t drink any liquids with meals. Stop drinking 5 minutes before meals and wait 60 minutes after meals before drinking again.

Two of the most common bariatric surgeries, gastric imbrication and LAP-BAND® laparoscopic adjustable banding, may be performed in an outpatient facility. Gastric bypass surgery usually requires a hospital stay of two nights.

Although everyone recovers at a different rate from bariatric surgery, it generally takes about six weeks to recover from any type of major abdominal surgery. Some patients feel a sense of well-being soon after bariatric surgery as their weight begins to come off. If you have a desk job, you can usually return to work one to two weeks after discharge from the hospital. However, if your job requires lifting or excessive stretching and bending, you will need to wait six weeks post-surgery.

You will need to return for exams during the first, third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth month following bariatric surgery. Your first follow-up visit will be one to two weeks after surgery. At that time we will check your incision and answer any questions. Gastric bypass surgery–related follow-up visits are free of charge for three months. We offer free follow-up visits to cash patients for one year, although there is a charge for any laboratory work or X-rays..

It is important to understand that all surgeries carry a risk of complications, and bariatric procedures are no exception. We pride ourselves on educating our patients about the possible risks of bariatric surgery. We believe that individuals should be able to make informed decisions regarding care.

Here are some statistics:

The risk of death is about 0.5 percent, as documented in the National Bariatric Surgery Registry.

Complications can be divided into two categories: those specific to the bariatric procedure and those common to any major abdominal surgery.

 After bariatric surgery, complications are not limited to but may include the following:

Stricture (partial closing) of the surgically created anastomosis (0.5 percent)

Disruption of the suture line with leaks or abscesses (1 percent)

Peritonitis, or inflammation of the abdominal lining (1 percent)

Injury to spleen during surgery or a major hemorrhage (1.5 percent)

It is important to recognize that disruption of the suture line can occur due to overfilling the pouch. This occurs from eating past the point of being satisfied. Overfilling can cause the stomach to stretch and the sutures to pull apart. This can cause leakage or failure of the operation. It is extremely important to avoid fibrous foods for the first six weeks after surgery; the stomach and the intestines cannot digest these foods properly. Food that cannot be easily digested sits in the stomach and can form a mass, called a bezoar. The body resorts to severe vomiting in an effort to expel the undigested food. This violent vomiting can cause disruption to the suture line, as well.

After any abdominal surgery, complications are not limited to but may include the following:

Anesthetic complications (0.1 percent)

Stroke or heart attack (0.1 percent)

Marginal ulcer or obstruction (1 percent)

Intestinal obstruction (1 percent)

Respiratory complications (1 percent)

Wound dehiscence (1 percent)

Incisional hernia (10 percent)

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