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After Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
| What are the success rates associated with the surgery? |
| In general, all the bariatric procedures performed are highly successful. Gastric bypass often leads to the most amount of weight loss (70% of excess weight) and the greatest improvement in co-morbidities (diabetes in particular). Gastric banding leads to a 50% loss of excess weight after 12-18 months. For more information, see our ‘Band vs Bypass’ section |
| Will I lose weight straight away? |
| Following the bypass, you can expect to lose up to a stone a month in weight for the first year. Following banding, a loss of 3kg per month is normal. Patients are advised not to weigh themselves for up to a week after surgery as their weight will be raised due to fluids given during the operation |
| How will my body shape change? |
| Weight loss often follows a specific pattern with more being lost around the face and neck initially. Gradually, weight loss will become more symmetrical throughout the body |
| Will I be in pain after the surgery? |
| You may feel some abdominal pain following surgery and occasionally shoulder pain after a laparoscopic procedure. However, you will given pain relief to help with this. Patients will also be mobilized out of bed 4-6 hours after the operation to avoid the risk of blood clots. Discomfort is normally minimal a couple of weeks after surgery and can be controlled by further pain relief. Gastric band adjustments may cause mild discomfort at follow up clinics |
| What will I be able to eat after surgery? |
| Patients are started on a liquid puree diet for a week after gastric banding and for 2 weeks after bypass. They then progress onto a sloppy diet followed by small portions of solid foods. Foods that dissolve quickly into liquids (such as ice cream and chocolates) will pass easily through a band. Following this procedure avoidance of these items is recommended. Some carbohydrate and meat meals may not be well tolerated for many months after bypass surgery |
| How many times will I need to come back after surgery? |
| The first follow-up appointment is made with the specialist nurse 4-6 weeks after surgery. Following this, appointments are made at regular intervals with the dietician, physician or specialist nurse at the Harrow Healthcare Centre depending on needs. If you have had a band inserted, you may require more regular visits for adjustments. Your weight and progress will be monitored at each follow-up |
| What happens if the surgery doesn’t work? |
| Bariatric surgery has a very high success rate, but requires commitment to diet regimes post-operatively from the patient. If for any reason the operation is unsuccessful e.g. due to insufficient weight loss or complications, revision procedures are possible. However these operations carry a higher risk and further discussion with the surgeon is required |
| How will I drink fluids after surgery? |
| You can have sips of water every hour after 36 hours but before this, you will remain hydrated via a drip. Over the next 24 hours you can gradually build up to taking free fluids. |
| Can I drink alcohol? |
| Following bariatric surgery, you need to be cautious when drinking alcohol. Your metabolism is altered after weight loss procedures and therefore alcohol can be absorbed much more rapidly. The safest option is to completely avoid it for 12 months. |
| Will I have baggy skin or stretch marks after surgery? |
| Unfortunately, due to the drastic amount of weight lost following surgery, you are likely to be left with a large amount of loose skin. This is concentrated around the upper arms, breasts and lower abdomen and may need to be removed several years later. This procedure is not included in our package and you will need to discuss cosmetic surgery options with your GP. |
| Will I lose my hair after the surgery? |
| Yes this is a possibility but it will grow back. Bariatric surgery leads to a state of malnutrition in the body and therefore any energy supplies are directed towards maintaining organ function. Hair growth is therefore temporarily affected but the body gradually adapts to a lower energy intake. |
| Will I always only be able to eat small portions? |
| By the end of your first year you should be able to eat a child sized portion of food. This will gradually increase as your weight stabilizes and your tolerance increases. It is not recommended you return to your old eating habits as this can stretch your stomach and increase your risk of weight gain. |
Sources:
| 1. Truby H et al 2006. Randomised trial of four commercial weight loss programmes in the UK: initial findings from the BBC “diet trials” www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/bmj.38833.411204.80v1 |
| 2. Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet- The information Centre, NHS website. |
| 3. National Obesity Forum |
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