Most Frequently Asked Questions about Bariatric Surgery
Most insurance companies require a series of weight loss visits before approving bariatric surgery. These visits can range from 3 months to as much as 12 months, depending on the insurance provider’s policy.
After surgery, it’s common to experience some discomfort, particularly from the residual air in the abdomen. However, using minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic surgery or the DaVinci robot typically results in less pain than traditional open surgery. This discomfort generally dissipates before your post-operative visit with your surgeon.
Recovery times can vary between individuals. We generally advise patients to avoid lifting more than 20 pounds for up to six weeks after surgery. Most patients are able to return to their regular activities between 2 and 6 weeks post-operation.
For men, the recommended regimen includes Vitamin B12 once per week, a Multivitamin with Iron twice daily, and 500mg of Calcium twice daily. Women should also take Vitamin B12 once per week and a Multivitamin with Iron twice daily, but with 500mg of Calcium three times daily. More detailed information can be found in the attached document.
Weight loss stalls can occur as your body adjusts to your new lifestyle. If this happens, contact your surgeon. We offer regular monitoring at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and then annually to help keep your protein intake consistent.
You can resume swimming, baths, and hot tubs once all incisions have completely healed, which usually takes 4-6 weeks.
We provide all of our patients with a comprehensive guidebook outlining the stages of reintroducing solid foods after surgery. For your convenience, we’ve attached a copy from Centerpoint. Other hospitals offer similar materials in print.
Since you will be eating only small amounts of food at a time after surgery, you need to choose high-protein foods first at each meal, before you eat other foods. Total your grams of protein from foods and beverages to ensure you are meeting your daily protein goal. Use the nutrition facts label and the list of food sources in this handout as a reference. As a general rule of thumb, each ounce of meat, fish, poultry, or egg contains 7 grams of protein.
Most insurance companies require a series of weight loss visits before approving bariatric surgery. These visits can range from 3 months to as much as 12 months, depending on the insurance provider’s policy.
After surgery, patients should avoid NSAIDs, including products containing Ibuprofen.
The most significant changes involve adjusting to new dietary habits and accepting changes in your physical appearance. During recovery, you’ll gradually introduce different foods to determine what your body can process. Adjusting to the weight loss and potential excess loose skin can be challenging for some patients, especially those who have lost a significant amount of weight.
To be eligible for weight-loss surgery, you must meet the following requirements: Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, or have a BMI between 30 and 35 and an obesity-related condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.
Adjustable gastric banding is the only type of bariatric surgery that is reversible. The band can be removed, and the stomach will return to its original size and shape.
Bariatric surgery does not directly cause thyroid problems. However, rapid weight loss following surgery can affect thyroid hormone levels, and some individuals may require adjustments to their thyroid medication.
The length of time from consultation to bariatric surgery can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the specific bariatric surgery being considered, the individual’s medical history and condition, and the requirements of the bariatric program or surgeon.
In general, the process for bariatric surgery typically involves several steps, including initial consultation and evaluation, pre-operative preparation and testing, the surgical procedure itself, and post-operative follow-up care. Depending on the specific bariatric program or surgeon, the time frame for each of these steps can vary.
On average, it can take several weeks to several months to complete the entire process and undergo bariatric surgery. The initial consultation and evaluation may take several weeks to schedule, and the pre-operative preparation and testing may take several weeks to several months to complete. Once the pre-operative requirements are met, the actual surgical procedure may be scheduled within several weeks to several months, depending on the availability of the surgeon and the surgical facility.
It’s important to note that the length of time from consultation to bariatric surgery can also depend on the individual’s medical history and condition. For example, individuals with certain medical conditions may need to undergo additional testing or preparation before being cleared for surgery, which can add to the overall time frame. It’s best to consult with a bariatric program or surgeon directly to get a better understanding of the expected timeline for bariatric surgery.