A. The average hospital stay varies depending on the type of bariatric surgery procedure that was performed.
Typically, laparoscopic procedures are preformed through a small incision and thus require the shortest stay (1-2 days).
Open procedures use a traditional incision and require the longest period of hospitalization (5-7 days).
While full recovery from the various bariatric surgery procedures may require six to eight weeks, most of our patients return to work in two weeks or less. Generally, people return to work and other normal activities more quickly following laparoscopic procedures than open ones.
The amount of weight loss varies to some degree depending on the type of bariatric surgery procedure performed. In general, the weight loss is greater with a more malabsorptive operation and less with a purely restrictive operation.
The greater the degree of malabsorption caused by a weight loss operation, the greater the patient’s weight loss.
Therefore, we feel that it is important for patients to understand the differences between the various weight loss surgery procedures so that they can choose the procedure that not only fits their lifestyle, but also is likely to produce the type of weight loss that they need and/or desire.
Most patients will achieve a steady weight within 12 to 24 months of their weight loss surgery. Again, this may vary depending on the patient’s starting weight at the time of surgery, the procedure that they choose, and how closely they comply with the dietary and exercise recommendations.
A. Yes. Although some patients are unable to exercise soon after bariatric surgery they will still lose weight. However, their weight loss may take longer and be a bit more modest than that of more active patients. Almost all patients find that they are able to perform some type of aerobic exercise once they lose a significant amount of weight.
A. In many cases the answer is yes. Our clinic will help you determine your insurance benefits and coverage for weight loss surgery and we will help you meet any bariatric surgery qualifying requirements your insurance company may have. In the event that there is no insurance coverage, we will help you explore other financial options including providing you with information about reputable financing companies who have been very helpful in working with our patients in the past.
A. One of the least understood aspects of bariatric surgery is the way in which the procedures help to curb appetite and cravings for certain types of food. It would not be fair to say that patients never feel hungry again after having bariatric surgical, and certainly hunger is an important mechanism in our body that lets us know when we need to eat. However, unlike people using popular diets or other medical weight loss treatments, most of our patients do not struggle with hunger to a significant degree during their weight loss.
A. Please read the criteria for surgery on our Am I a Candidate? page.
A. Most weight loss procedures are reversible to varying degrees and depending on the type of weight loss surgery performed. Conditions requiring reversal of weight loss surgery are rare. The sleeve gastrectomy, where the stomach is partially removed, is not reversible.
Reversal of a bariatric surgery procedure should only be done after consulting with an experienced bariatric surgeon to make certain that the indications for reversal are accurate and that the procedure can be reversed safely and appropriately.
Reversal of any bariatric surgery results in regaining weight in a significant number of patients.
A. Please fill our contact form found here to obtain additional information about bariatric surgery.
