Preparing for Surgery
Weight loss surgery is a major procedure. Recovery takes time and is different for every patient. Many experience discomfort and soreness rather than pain, but all patients need to be prepared to take it easy. All patients should be up and moving within hours following surgery. Each day brings more improvement, and many patients return to normal activities within three to six weeks.
Other factors for recovery time include pain tolerance, preoperative health, preoperative BMI, complications and the patient’s level of commitment to the recovery instructions.
The biggest challenge is preparing mentally for new daily routines, especially eating habits. Weight loss surgery patients must understand that they can never again eat as they previously did. We provide patients with guidelines for healthy living following weight loss surgery. These rules vary depending on the patient and the procedure.
It is very important to establish a support network of people in all parts of life who can encourage and enable a patient to heal and maintain healthy habits.
Lifestyle changes
Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery. It's surgery to improve overall health, well-being and quality of life. For people suffering from morbid obesity, weight loss surgery can be a powerful tool to help manage the condition. But surgery is not a cure. Patients must commit to a life of regular exercise and healthy eating to reap the rewards of weight loss and improved health.
Patients must eat less because they have a much smaller stomach. Fortunately, patients typically feel full after eating a small amount of food. And as patients lose weight they usually find that exercise becomes less difficult.
Once the pounds are shed, dangerous co-morbidities, such as type II diabetes, GERD, and sleep apnea, often improve or resolve.
The most successful weight loss surgery patients are highly motivated and energetic during the first year to 18 months following surgery. They embrace the new routine of smaller, more frequent meals, taking vitamins and exercising. But these challenges can be overwhelming too, and that’s why we’re here to help you plan and meet your goals.
Expected weight loss
The amount and rate of weight loss following surgery depends on several factors including initial weight, adherence to post-operative diet and amount of exercise.
Generally gastric bypass patients can lose 70percent of their extra weight, most of it in the first 6 months following surgery. Long term, patients keep off 50% of their excess weight.
Lap Band patients generally lose weight slower but eventually also lose about 50% of their excess weight.
Lap Band Ready Checklist
The activities and resources in this checklist will help you navigate your way to a successful surgery day and beyond.
Lap Band Checklist
