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What can I expect after Weight Loss Surgery?
After Gastric Bypass Surgery | After LapBand Surgery
What to expect after gastric bypass surgery:
You will get a detailed description of this during your initial consultation and in your patient handbook. Briefly, when your operation is scheduled, you will normally come to the hospital on the morning of your operation. The operation usually lasts between 2-5 hours depending on prior operations, your weight and whether it is done as an open procedure or laparoscopic procedure. The usual uncomplicated hospital stay is between 3 and 4 days.
The first office visit after hospital discharge is usually 10-20 days after the operation. Subsequent visits occur at approximately 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after the operation. You will see our dietitian on each postoperative visit. You will go home on a diet of pureed foods and liquids until the first visit. After that visit we will work with you to expand your diet gradually to normal foods based on your individual tolerance. After the first visit you will be asked to start multivitamins with additional iron and calcium supplements. After the second visit you will be started on vitamin B12 replacement which you must continue for the remainder of your life.
When you go home you will be able to get in and out of a chair, bed, or car to go up and down stairs safely but slowly. We ask you to gradually increase your physical activities as tolerated. It should be your goal to be walking at least a mile per day or equivalent by the time of your 6 week postoperative visit. Weight loss is determined solely by the amount of food you eat and the amount of exercise you pursue after your operation. The operation does not ensure weight loss; it only makes it more likely for you to be successful in your efforts.
What to expect after adjustable gastric band (LapBand) surgery:
You will get a detailed description of this during your initial consultation and in your patient handbook. Briefly, when your operation is scheduled, you will normally come to the hospital on the morning of your operation. The operation usually lasts between 1-2 hours depending on prior operations and your weight. It may be done as an outpatient or with an overnight stay. You will go home on a liquid diet for 2 weeks (anything that can fit through a straw) and will be on a soft diet for an additional 2 weeks (anything that you do not have to chew).
The first office visit after hospital discharge is usually 2 weeks after the operation. At this visit you will have an Upper GI Xray to document the position of the band. Your first fill will be at an appointment 6 weeks after banding. After this you will have a follow-up appointment every month for 6 months, every other month for 6 months, and every 3 months thereafter. You will also be expected to return to see us if you have any difficulty swallowing, frequent vomiting, or if you do not feel full after eating. You will only have a fill or unfill when necessary. After a fill you should plan on a liquid diet for 2 days and a soft diet for an additional 2 days. You will see our dietitian at your first postoperative visit and periodically after that.
There are no specific lifting or activity restrictions after banding, and your comfort level should dictate your activity. When you go home you will be able to get in and out of a chair, bed, or car to go up and down stairs safely but slowly. You will be able to shower on the second day after surgery and bathe or swim after one week. We ask you to gradually increase your physical activities as tolerated. It should be your goal to be walking at least a mile per day or equivalent by the time of your 6 week postoperative visit.
Weight loss is determined solely by the amount of food you eat and the amount of exercise you pursue after your operation. The operation does not ensure weight loss; it only makes it more likely for you to be successful in your efforts.
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