After Surgery

Long-term follow-up after surgery

Our clinic provides long-term follow-up and care to all of our patients after surgery.  All surgical patients are usually seen around one wek after surgery.  Gastric bypass patients are then typically seen at 1,3,6,9 and 12 months after surgery and then yearly.  Lap-Band patients are typically seen at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.  Future follow-ups vary depending upon the need for adjustments.  Lap-Band patients are usually seen every 6 weeks for the first six months, then every 3 months for the first two years, then yearly.

Activity

Most patients recover quickly after laparoscopic surgery.  Gastric bypass patients usually return to work two weeks after surgery.  Lap-Band patients can sometimes return in as little as one week after surgery.

Diet

There are dietary transition stages for both gastric bypass and Lap-Band surgeries.  This is to allow healing and to prevent complications.  During the first few months after surgery you may not tolerate certain foods as your body adapts to the changes caused by the surgery.  There may be certain foods you never tolerate after surgery.  However, both surgeries are only tools to aid in weight loss and do not replace healthy eating habits.  Dietary recommendations are reviewed in detail during the pre-operative visit.  Patients must follow healthy eating guidelines after surgery for maximum success.

Medications

Most medications are well tolerated and absorbed after surgery.  There may be exceptions that require adjustments in the form or dose of a medicine.

Exercise

Exercise is a key component to any long-term weight loss program.  Bariatric surgery is no exception.  Exercising helps to prevent muscle loss and reduction of metabolism.  Most patients find they can exercise much easier after a significant weight loss.

Rate of Weight Loss

The rate at which a patient loses weight after surgery varies and is dependant upon many factors including age, starting weight, medical co-morbidities, the type of surgery performed,
as well as food choices and activity level after surgery.  Gastric bypass patients lose weight more quickly the first few months after surgery and then lose at a slower rate.  Weight loss usually plateaus 12-18 months after surgery.  Lap-Band patients will lose weight at a slower pace, but can continue to lose weight for 2 ½ - 3 years after surgery.  We aim for a 2-lb per week weight loss for Lap-Band patients.  It is normal to have temporary plateaus following both surgeries.  Do not compare your rate of weight loss to others; everyone loses at
different rates.