Surgery and Post-operative

If the patient is a candidate for surgery and decides to go ahead with it, and all medical clearances are obtained, pre-certification will be requested. Once received, surgery will be scheduled. The patient can expect to be admitted on the day of surgery and remain in the hospital for one to five days depending on the type of surgery. The patient will be encouraged to resume walking soon after surgery. The patient’s diet will progress from liquid to solid foods over six weeks.

Most patients return to work between four and six weeks after gastric bypass surgery (two to four weeks if the surgery is laparoscopic) or one to two weeks after a LAP BAND, but they may not lift anything heavy for six to eight weeks. Patients will need to visit their surgeon for regular check-ups for up to two years following surgery, and then yearly thereafter with their surgeon or primary care physician.

Weight Loss After Surgery

A LAP-BAND can help a severely obese person lose a significant amount of excess body weight by limiting the amount of food that can be eaten. A gastric bypass further reduces the absorption of calories, fat and certain nutrients from food.

• After a LAP-BAND, studies suggest that a patient can anticipate losing up to 60 percent of excess body weight within three years after surgery, and can expect to keep off up to 50 percent of the excess weight at 10 years.