Hair Loss
Is common during periods of rapid weight loss but will regrow in time.
Please ensure an adequate protein intake (60-80g per day). This may reduce hair loss.
Pregnancy
Is not uncommon following weight loss surgery. Women who previously were not menstruating may restart their periods. Contraception should be used. In general it is not recommended that patients get pregnant for at least 12 months after their surgery ie during their rapid weight loss phase. Having said that there is no evidence that there has been any harm to babies conceived during this phase.
Can I drink alcohol after surgery?
In general alcohol consumption should be limited to small amounts, no more than a glass of wine per day. It does after all contain calories.
Click on the desired question to find
out more.
Q: Will I be sick a lot after the operation?
A: Weight loss surgery limits food intake. If you feel nauseated
or sick on a regular basis, it may mean that you are not chewing
your food well or that you are not following the diet rules
properly. You should contact us if
this problem persists. Vomiting should be avoided as much
as possible. It can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch.
It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach through
an adjustable band, which would reduce the success of the operation.
In some cases, it would also require another operation.
Q: How long will it take to recover after
surgery?
A: If your surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients
typically spend 24 - 48 hours in the hospital. It takes
most patients about 1 -2 weeks to return to work and a month to
six weeks to resume exercising. In the case of open surgery
or if there are complications, recovery may take longer.
Q: How much weight will I lose?
A: Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient, and the amount of weight you may lose depends on several things.
You need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity
surgery is not a miracle cure, and the pounds won't come off by themselves. It is very important to set achievable weight-loss
goals from the beginning. A weight loss of 1/2 to 1 Kg a week in the first year after the operation is possible. Twelve to eighteen months
after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually much less
if any. Your main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.
Q: How do the weight-loss results
with the adjustable gastric band compare to
those with the gastric bypass?
At this stage there are no randomized control
trials comparing results of laparoscopic adjustable banding with
gastric bypass. However extensive
studies of the literature would suggest that gastric bypass does
have
significantly better weight loss with resolution of co-morbidities
compared
to laparoscopic adjustable banding.
A recent meta analysis in JAMA (Oct 13th 2004, vol. 292 #14) by Buchwald,
found the gastric bypass was associated with approximately 68%
excess
weight loss, as compared to 50% excess weight loss with adjustable
banding. Approximately 75% of patients with gastric bypass will
achieve good to
excellent weight loss as opposed to 50% of adjustable gastric
banding.
The potential rewards of gastric bypass need
to be weighed with the increased
risks of this procedure.
Q: Does weight loss
surgery require frequent office
visits after surgery?
A: Check-ups are a normal and a very important part of the
weight loss surgery follow-up.
Q: Does weight loss
surgery limit any physical
activity?
A: The weight loss surgery does not affect or hamper physical activity
including aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise.
Q: How is the band adjusted
for those who have an adjustable band?
Adjustments can be done in an outpatient
clinic or office.
A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port
to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes only
a few minutes. Most patients say it is nearly painless.
Q: Do I have to be careful with the access
port just underneath my skin?
A: There are no restrictions based on the access port. It
is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall, and once the
incisions have healed it should not cause discomfort or limit
your movements or any physical exercise. The only sensation
you may have from the port is when you go in for adjustments.
If you feel persistent discomfort in the port area, let us
know as soon as possible.
Q: Can the band be removed?
A: YES. In most cases this can be done laparoscopically.
The stomach generally returns to its original shape once the
band is removed. After the removal, though, it is likely you
will return to your original weight or even gain more.
Q: Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus
skin when I have lost a lot of weight?
A: That is not always the case. As a rule, plastic surgery
will not be considered for at least a year or two after the
operation. Sometimes the skin will mold itself around the
new body tissue. You should give the skin the time it needs
to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.
Q: Is it true that the
adjustable gastric band seems "tighter"
in the morning?
A: This is a fairly common feeling, especially for people
with bands that are tight or just after an adjustment. During
the day the water content in the body changes and this may
cause the band to feel "tighter" some of the time. Some women
have also noticed that the band feels tighter during menstruation.
Q: Will I feel hungry or deprived with the
weight loss surgery?
A: The adjustable gastric band makes you eat less and feel full in two ways
- by reducing the capacity of your stomach and increasing
the time it takes food to get through the digestive system.
After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person
to person, you should feel full. If you follow the nutrition
guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well,
you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that weight
loss surgery is a tool to help you change your eating habits.
Q: Will I need to take vitamin supplements?
A: You will. You may not get enough vitamins
from three small meals a day. At your regular check-ups, your
specialist will evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin
B12, folic acid, and iron.
Q: What about other medication?
A: You should be able to take prescribed medication. You
may need to use capsules, break big tablets in half or dissolve
them in water so they do not get stuck in the stoma and make
you sick. You should always ask the doctor who prescribes
the drugs about this.
Q: What if I go out to eat?
A: Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer.
Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions.
You might want to let your host or hostess know in advance
that you cannot eat very much.
Q: What about alcohol?
A: Alcohol has a high number of calories. It also breaks
down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic
beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss.
Q: Can I eat anything in moderation?
A: At 6 weeks post surgery, you may eat most
foods that don't cause you discomfort. However, because you
can only eat a little it is important to include foods full
of important vitamins and nutrients such as those recommended
by
our surgeon and/or dietitian. If you eat foods that contain
lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of "empty" calories,
such as milkshakes, the effect of the weight loss surgery may be greatly
reduced or cancelled.
Q: Will I suffer from constipation?
A: Let us know before surgery if you have a tendency to
constipation. There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools,
which is normal after a decrease in food intake because you
eat less fibre. This should not cause you severe problems.
If difficulties do arise, let us know as soon as possible.
| 
