FAQ

Weight Loss Surgery

• When is surgery a good option for treating obesity?

   

  A person should consider surgery if he or she:

  • is “morbidly obese"
  • has tried other non-surgical weight loss options and has not had successful results,
  • has been obese for several years,
  • has a condition that is so severe that it requires rapid, urgent treatment,
  • does not have any active drug or alchohol addictions, and
  • does not have any significant psychiatric disorders.
    Moreover, a person should consider surgery if the health risks and emotional cost of being obese exceed the risk of having surgery.

  Bariatric surgery is the only remedy that has proven to be effective in treating obesity in most patients. Of course, it is possible for an obese person to lose weight without surgery. However, most obese people lose weight, only to relapse and regain their weight. Surgery does not replace the need to exercise and make better food choices, but rather, makes these goals realistic and provides a long-term control mechanism to assist in managing this chronic problem.

• What are other options for my weight problem besides surgery?

   

  Bariatric surgery can be an excellent option for treating obesity, but it should not be the first option. If you can lose weight without an operation, that is preferable.

  Nutritional counseling, exercise and group programs should all be considered prior to surgery. If you can lose weight without an operation you are better off. If you cannot and obesity is affecting your health or quality of life, then surgery should be considered.

• How much weight can I expect to lose from surgery?

   

  The amount of weight you will likely lose depends on a wide range of variables, such as:

  • your genetic makeup
  • what operation you select
  • how much you eat before surgery
  • how much you will be able to eat after surgery
  • how well you adopt a healthy lifestyle including exercise and proper eating
  • your metabolic rate.

  On average, people lose approximately 70% of their excess weight one year following a gastric bypass. Our results show that after 10 years, most will maintain 60% of the initial weight loss. With a LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band or REALIZE Band™, weight loss is about 55%to 60% of excess weight.

  Those who only rely on surgery, and do not change their behavior—by becoming more active and eating healthy—will not have as favorable results.

• There are a number of different bariatric procedures…which type of surgery is best for me?

   

  As you know, in medicine, there are no absolutes…each operation has advantages and disadvantages link to surgery options. Some may be done with minimally invasive surgical techniques. You should have a consultation with your doctor to discuss your major health problems, concerns and expectations. At NWH Surgical Weight Loss Program, our surgeon will discuss your surgical options with you in detail and outline a strategy that works best for you.

• What are advantages of minimally invasive surgery?

   

  Some bariatric procedures can be done with minimally invasive surgical techniques. With minimally invasive surgery, it is not necessary to cut through the muscle; instead, the surgery is done through small incisions. The surgeon is able to see the operative field using a television monitor. Advantages include a reduction in potential wound complications and hernias, as well as a faster return to full activity. It is important to understand that even when surgery is done through small incisions, it is still a major operation.

• What are the risks of surgery?

   

  We wish to emphasize to our patients that all bariatric surgery operations are major procedures and have serious risk. The national average death rate for bariatic surgery is 0.5%. The following list outlines some risks, but is far from exhaustive.

  Risks and Possible Complications of LapBand
  

  Operative	Short-Term	Long Term
  Death	Death	Weight Gain
  Anesthesia	Slippage/Prolapse	Slippage/Prolapse
  Injury to Other Organs	Vomiting	Vomiting
  Cardiac Arrest	Frothing	Frothing
  Bleeding	Tube Leakage	Tube Leakage
  Respiratory	Erosion	Erosion
  Abcess	Port-Dislodgement	Port-Dislodgement
  Pneumonia		Mechanical Failture
  Infection		Esophogeal Dysfunction
  Blood Clots (DVT/PE)		Infection
  		Re-operation

  
  

  Risks and Possible Complications of Gastric Bypass

  Operative	Short-Term	Long Term
  Death	Death	Weight Gain
  Anesthesia	Stricture	Malnutrition
  Injury to Other Organs	Vomiting	Calcium Deficiency
  Cardiac Arrest	Frothing	Anemia
  Bleeding	Ulcer	Hernia
  Respiratory	Dumping	Bowel Obstruction
  Leak	Obstruction	Chronic Abdominal Pain
  Abcess	Re-operation	Fistula
  Pneumonia		Ulcer
  Infection		Leak
  Blood Clots (DVT/PE)		Re-operation

  While most of these issues rarely arise, the major point is that these procedures should only be done when necessary and by doctors that have experience in this area.

• When can I return to work?

   

  As you might imagine, the amount of recovery time needed before returning to work varies from patient to patient, and depends on the type of work. Typically, most patients who are healthy return to work after several days following a band, and often less than one to two weeks with other procedures. Of course, your health and fitness before surgery is an important determinant of recovery time, and certain patients have had a more prolonged recovery. Besides needing to build back strength after major surgery, it is also difficult to make the adjustment to a different way of eating. Additionally, a medical complication can cause a delay. We suggest that you plan to be away from your job for three to four weeks. If you have a strenuous, physical job, four to six weeks is necessary to allow for adequate healing. If arrangements can be made, you may be able to return to light duty sooner.