Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am eligible?

Patients must meet specific criteria before they will be considered for an evaluation with the Bariatric & Metabolic center in BDF hospital.

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40, or a BMI of >35 accompanied by other issues related to health (co-morbidities). Calculate your BMI. These co-morbidities include diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol, triglycerides, etc), metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian disease, pseudotumorcerebri, etc.
• Have a stable psychological status with adequate social support system to help them through the course of surgery and the postoperative period

How long will I stay in the hospital after bariatric surgery?

The average surgical time for mini gastric bypass is about 2 hours and sleeve gastrectomy is about 1-2 hours. The laparoscopy totally changed bariatric surgery. Almost all our patients can walk a few hours after surgery. They start to have water the day after surgery. The majority (more than 95%) of patients only stay in the hospital forone night.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

Some of that depends on how much you need to lose.  During the Rapid Weight Loss phase after surgery- the first 12-18 months- you should lost 60-80% of your excess weight if you follow the guidelines of how to eat, what to eat, what combination of foods are best and what time to eat.

When can I go back to work after surgery?

After surgery, most patients return to work after two weeks. Some may be able to work from home as early as one week after surgery. Because of the significantly reduced calorie intake, many patients have low energy for 1-2 weeks after surgery. However, most patients gain their energy back once they start to have soft food.

How bad is the pain after surgery?

Most patients have some pain after surgery. However, the pain is usually just a little bit more than laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. Most patients just need to take oral pain medications for a few days after surgery. The majority of our patients felt that pain was not a major issue during their recovery.

When can I start exercising again after surgery?

As soon as patients totally wake up from anesthesia, we encourage patients to walk. The key is to start slow and listen to your body. If you experience pain or discomfort, stop and relax. Avoid lifting heavy objects for the first 6 weeks. If you swim, your wounds need to be healed over before you get back in the water and always swim slowly at the beginning. And u can start going to gym after one month of the operation.

Will bariatric surgery last?

Many patients (up to 50%) may regain a small amount of weight (approximately 5 percent) two years or more following their surgery. However, longitudinal studies find that most bariatric surgery patients maintain successful weight-loss long-term.

Will I lose hair after bariatric surgery?

For the reasons we still don’t fully understand, hair loss after bariatric surgery is common between 3 and 6 months following surgery. However, hair loss is almost always temporary. Adequate intake of protein, vitamins, biotin and minerals will help to ensure hair re-growth, and avoid longer term thinning.

Do I need to take vitamins and minerals after surgery?

You will need to take a multivitamin for 6 month .You will also need to have bloods works before each follow up appointments.