W-Loss - Weight Loss Surgery and Support Group
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Will I need special care when I arrive home?
No we like you to be as normal as possible to avoid developing clots in the legs. Most people can pretty much look after themselves with a little help. A small number of people with physical disability before surgery may need extra help.
How many follow-up visits are necessary after surgery?
For gastric bands the package includes three follow-up visits and three band fills. These generally take place at the same time. The dietician will also see you three times following surgery. We will also recommend you to join the behavioural therapy group where we can continue to follow you up.
How soon should I see weight loss after surgery?
You can lose as much as 10-20 pounds in the first 2 weeks after surgery and as much as 30-45 pounds in the first month.
Can I drink alcohol after undergoing surgery?
We encourage you not to drink alcohol immediately after surgery. You can drink alcohol in modest amounts about six to twelve months after you recover.
What are the dietary guidelines after weight loss surgery?
Liquids only for the first 2 days after surgery then pureed foods until 4 weeks after surgery. This is followed by soft foods till first band fill. Lifelong vitamins and even protein drink supplements are required in some people depending on the type of operation. Patients who undergo gastric bypass follow a similar dietary progression for 12 weeks and then they are allowed regular, healthy foods.
Is exercise an important factor after weight loss surgery?
Exercise is critical to successful weight loss as well as long-term cardiovascular health. Remember weight loss surgery only minimized calorie intake. Daily exercise allows for the excess fat in your body to be burned off.
What happens if I do not follow my dietary guidelines after surgery?
If you do not follow the guidelines after having surgery, you can still be obese and malnourished at the same time.
Will I have a lot of pain?
You will be given lots of strong painkillers before you wake up from the operation. You will be prescribed regular soluble painkillers for the next day or two until you are completely comfortable. We try not to give you too much of the very strong painkillers as this can sometimes make you feel drowsy and stop you from getting up and about after the operation.
Will I be sick after the operation?
We will give you very powerful anti-sickness medications for the first 24 hours after the operation. This should stop you from feeling sick. Having a band inserted around your stomach can make you feel sick for a few days. This usually settles with the medications in a day or two.
How soon will I be able to walk?
Almost immediately after surgery when you get back to your room. We want you to get up and move about as soon as possible. Even though we give you the blood thinning injections and foot pump to prevent blood clots, it is still not as good as you moving about. We ask you to continue to move about as much as possible when you return home.
How soon can I drive?
For your own safety, you should not drive until you have stopped taking narcotic medications. Usually this takes is between 7-14 days after surgery.
What is the recovery time after weight loss surgery?
Generally you will take about 2 weeks to recover from a gastric band and about 4 weeks for gastric bypass.
Will I be able to continue smoking after weight loss surgery?
We do not recommend smoking and will encourage you to stop smoking.
I heard that you could loose hair after weight loss surgery; is this true?
This can happen if you lose weight very quickly and especially if you were malnutrition before the operation. As along as your diet is reviewed and followed up by our dietician this should settle down.
What is Dumping Syndrome?
This does not occur with gastric band. It tends to affect people who have had gastric bypass or BPD where the stomach pylorus is removed. Eating sugars or other foods containing carbohydrate tends to cause this. The sugar/carbohydrate in the food draws water into the gut resulting in diarrhoea as well as a very unpleasant feeling: you break out in a cold clammy sweat, turn pale, feel "butterflies" in your stomach, and have a pounding pulse. This last for 30-60 minutes and can be quite uncomfortable.
What are the restrictions after weight loss surgery?
The amount and quality of the foods eaten are restricted. You must chew your food well and eat slowly.
How will my life change after surgery?
Lifetime follow-up is recommended, with at least three follow-up visits during the first year. You will need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a new nutrition plan and regular exercise, although exercise restrictions may be in place until you are healed.
Medications can be prescribed as needed. However, your doctor may tell you to avoid aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can irritate the stomach.
What are some recommended readings after weight loss surgery?
• A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery: Everything you need to know about weight loss surgery and how to succeed by Bryan G. Woodward
• Weight Loss Surgery: Understanding and Overcoming Morbid Obesity by Michelle Boasten
• Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the thin person hiding inside you by Barbara Thompson
• Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray
This is a link to a patient forum who specialises in laparoscopic gastric band.
http://lapbandtalk.com/
Links:
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