Post-Surgical FAQ
Q: How long do I have to take off work?
A: Recovery times differ but we request that people try to take off at least 2 weeks regardless of the type of surgery they are undergoing. In our practice, most band and sleeve gastrectomy patients go back within 1 week. Some of the other operations that we perform may require additional time off of work. If you have a complication after surgery, the time off from work will be extended.
Q: How soon will I be able to walk after surgery?
A: There are no restrictions with walking. Surgery patients should be walking the same day of their surgery and continue walking at least 30 minutes daily afterwards. Forming blood clots in the legs are a risk factor of surgery. This risk can last for up to 6 weeks after your surgery date. We encourage ambulation and exercise as soon as possible.
Q: What are other activity limitations following surgery?
A: Although we want you to be as active as possible after surgery, we generally recommend that you don’t do any heavy lifting (greater than 20-30 lbs) for 2 weeks post op. You should be able to walk, climb up and down stairs, and perform your activities of daily living (showering, cooking, minor cleaning, etc) without any restriction.
Q: Why do I need to take vitamins for life?
A: Vitamin supplementation is important to maintaining lifelong health. Since portion sizes will be significantly smaller after weight loss surgery, it is imperative that you attain adequate nutrition with vitamin supplementation. Your body may also not adequately absorb many of the vitamins in food, therefore it is necessary to supplement. Vitamin deficiencies can cause severe nutritional problems and devastating symptoms which can be prevented by taking daily vitamins for life.
Q: What type of vitamins do I need to be taking?
A: There are special formulated vitamins for weight loss surgery patients and we recommend chewable Bariatric Fusion vitamins. These are sold at our office. If you cannot tolerate the vitamins we recommend, Gastric Band patients need to take a multivitamin and 1600 mg of calcium with vitamin D daily and vitamin B12 (can be taken oral daily, injection monthly, or nasal spray weekly). Sleeve gastrectomy and Gastric bypass patients need two multivitamins daily, 1600mg of calcium citrate daily with vitamin D, iron and vitamin B12. Ask your dietitian for further guidance when choosing vitamins.
Q: Can I safely become pregnant and carry a baby after weight loss surgery?
A: Yes. We would like you to wait at least one year after bariatric surgery to get pregnant. We know that this may not be in your specific plan, so please notify us if you plan to get pregnant sooner.
Q: What is body composition analysis and how do you measure it?
A: Body composition analysis is measured by an iDexa machine. The iDexa analyzes a person’s body composition by distinguishing body fat from muscle mass from water weight. The body fat calculation measures peripheral fat versus the fat inside the abdomen called visceral fat. This machine, which we have at BMI of Texas, helps determine whether the weight loss is metabolically significant then truly keeping you healthy. We are able to track on what areas of the body that fat was lost and muscle was gained.
Q: How often is the iDexa body composition analysis done?
A: We recommend it done before surgery, at 6 months after surgery, at one year after surgery and every year to follow. This will help us track the weight loss results accurately ensuring that our patients are maintaining their muscle mass and keeping the fat off.
Q: What is metabolic syndrome?
A: Metabolic syndrome is a phrase to describe a series of risk factors that cause diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed with the risk factors of elevated blood sugars, elevated triglycerides (cholesterol in the blood), low HDL (good cholesterol particles), high blood pressure, and large waist lines.
Q: How do you treat metabolic syndrome?
A: Commitment to weight loss and healthy dietary lifestyle changes can help treat metabolic syndrome.
Q: What is metabolic surgery and surgery for diabetes?
A: There are two operations that are classified by metabolic surgery and that is the gastric bypass and the sleeve gastrectomy. These surgeries alter hormones in your body to help make you healthier by tackling metabolic syndrome (type II diabetes, insulin resistance, and cholesterol abnormalities). These surgeries help your health prior to any significant weight loss has started. Surgery for diabetes is metabolic surgery in that the procedure is performed to improve your insulin and glucose function.