Resources

We recommend that you do not drink carbonated beverages. There are two good reasons for this: Carbonated sodas have phosphorus, which in excess will deplete calcium from the bones. Also, carbonation could stretch the pouch. You can let the beverage “go flat” first; however, it usually doesn’t taste very good.

If you are like most people, you should be able to lose up to 70-80% of your excess weight with a gastric bypass. Weight loss is slightly less with the gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy. Excess weight is your current weight, minus your ideal body weight. Typically, long-term patients might regain a few pounds at about two years after surgery. With a true commitment and diligence with diet and exercise, patients can have long-term success.

The surgeon evaluates each patient individually. However, here are the average lengths of stay:

• Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass – home post-op on day 2
• Open Gastric Bypass – home post-op on day 3 or 4
• Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding – home post-op on day 1
• Sleeve Gastrectomy – home post-op on day 1 or 2

Immediately after surgery, a few patients are nauseated because of reactions to anesthesia or narcotic pain medicines. Once home from surgery, nausea or vomiting is usually due to patients not following diet recommendations.

We have a support group available to you that is located here in the Stergios Building at Desert Regional. We try to provide an educational topic, as well as a time to get to know your fellow patients. All group leaders are licensed professionals.

Some insurance carriers require records and some do not. You should call your carrier to determine their specific requirements.

All of the artificial sweeteners are OK to use. After gastric bypass surgery, patients will substitute sugary liquids with those sweetened with artificial sweeteners due to the propensity for simple sugars to trigger the dumping syndrome. We recommend that patients undergoing gastric banding use artificial sweeteners, as well, to decrease calorie intake.

Yes, insurance companies have a time limit on how long they will wait to approve the procedure before you must resubmit the request.

Patients are usually able to resume normal daily activities, including returning to work, two to three weeks after surgery. If you work in an office setting that requires little to no strenuous activity, you should be able to return to work after two weeks. Your surgeon must clear you to return to work.

All of our rooms for bariatric patients are private.

Yes, all of our nurses have specific training in the care of bariatric surgery patients. They are very competent and caring.

Yes. Exercise is essential to your success. Walking is a great place to start. Try to set up a plan prior to your surgery and get started with a routine. It will definitely help with your recovery.

You can swim and take a bath when all wounds are completely healed and closed. You must have your surgeon’s clearance first.

Our medical director recommends the following schedule: Office visits are at one week, six weeks, three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 18 months and yearly for at least the first five years after surgery — and preferably for life. Upper GIs are done prior to discharge from the hospital and then on an as-needed basis only.

We require that every patient get a psychological evaluation prior to surgery.

The reason patients lose hair post-op is because of the stress of surgery, rapid weight loss, as well as vitamin deficiencies and a decrease in the consumption of protein. You will see the greatest amount of hair thinning around three to six months after surgery. That is why we stress the importance of taking in at least 60-80 grams of protein per day and taking your vitamins religiously! Some patients find it beneficial to take biotin and/or use specialized hair products.