Bariatric Surgery

A team of specialist that will be with you through your weight loss journey will consist of:

• Bariatric Surgeon
• Psychologist
• Nutritionist
• Patient Coordinator

You will have full interviews with each team member.

Before the surgery you will be required to lose certain amount of weight, so your nutritionist will set you a goal and a diet one month prior to the surgery, and a liquid diet 10 days before the scheduled procedure. The nutritionist will go over with you with the requirements for the pre surgical time.

You will need to:

• Share your health information with your surgeon, remember to mention all allergies, any current illness, pre-existent health conditions, health risk factors, previous surgeries, use of medications, vitamins or supplements and any other relevant medical information
• Your surgeon will ask you questions about your eating habits, and personal situations, as well as any medical conditions you have.
• You will be physically examined.
• Pre-surgery blood tests will be ordered
• Chest x ray will be requested too
• You’ll need to quit smoking completely
• Make sure to follow the pre-op recommendations the weight loss surgical team gives you
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, garlic and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.

For patients over 40 years of age or with any added cardiac, respiratory, renal pathology, etc. The following will be requested:

• Cardiological assessment
• Electrocardiogram

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be recommended in order to provide a safe surgery, give the patient the maximum comfort and allow the surgeon to work without any incidents.

Incisions & Procedures

Modern techniques are done via laparoscopic surgery. That means that small incisions will be made in order for the doctor to access inside the abdominal cavity and be able to reduce the stomach.

Right After Surgery

You will be taken into the recovery room to monitor your vital signs and make sure the anesthesia effects have worn out. You will be required to stay at least one night at the hospital to make sure pain levels are minimal, and that there are no leakages from the surgery.

You will be on a strict liquid diet for a couple of days, until your nutritionists lets you change to soft foods.

Before You Leave The Hospital

The surgeon will come in to check you the morning after the surgery to assure that you are stable and in good conditions to go back to your hotel / home, will be give you instructions on how to take care of your surgery along with a prescription for medication to take after surgery.

After the procedure, the surgeon will prescribe painkillers, antibiotics, and the following care:

• You must take your medications as indicated on your post-operative care sheet that you will receive before you leave for discharge.
• First follow-up post-surgical day 7^th for stitch removal
• Relative rest 7 to 10 days
• No exercise or sexual activity for 4 weeks
• No lifting anything over 2 kgs
• You should not sunbathe for the next 4 weeks
• You shouldn’t be touching your wounds
• You should not smoke
• You will be on a strict liquid diet for the first days after surgery, and after words you will be weaned to soft food and eventually to normal diet.
• You need to avoid NSAIDs and any medication that has not been prescribed by your surgeon
• You will need to avoid alcohol

It is important that you follow your surgeon’s recommendations to avoid any complications.

You can expect to feel a bit uncomfortable, with a little bit of pain and tired after surgery. This will be controlled with medication that will be prescribed.

It is important that you understand that after the surgery you will experience swelling and fluid retention, this will subside with time.

It is suggested to sleep on your back to avoid direct pressure of the surgical wounds for the next 7 days.

⚠️ LIFE AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

This kind of surgeries achieve dramatic weight loss in patients, but it is important to realize that it is not intended to be treated as an infallible cure for obesity. Patients must understand that obesity is a multifactorial issue, and factors such as mental health and physiological issues can also be part of the problem. Weight loss surgery is intended to help patients get to a healthier state, but if other issues such as mental health and maintaining a healthy diet and habits need to be addressed in order to maintain the surgical results. Surgery is not be the answer to all the obesity problems, and very likely the patient will regain their initial weight.  

Massive weight loss after bariatric surgery requires to have constant health check ups, and will probably need to take vitamins to be healthy. Also fast massive weight loss will cause skin to sag and hang, and patients will need reconstructive surgery once the weight goal has been reached and maintained for at least 12 to 18 months.

During the recovery right after surgery your surgeon will have you on liquid and soft diet for a period of time. And the nutritionist will advise you on how to move on to a normal and balanced diet.

Exercise will be required 4 weeks after surgery once you have fully recovered .

Female patients are advised to avoid pregnancy for the first 12 to 18 months after bariatric surgery.

Although risks and complications rarely, they can include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Internal bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to other internal structures
• Thrombosis
• Leakage from the staples
• Stenosis of the stomach
• Heart burn
• Vitamin and nutrient deficiency
• Weight regain
• Excess skin that will need to be removed eventually

In order to decrease the risks your surgeon will ask for a series of blood tests to ensure you are in good health for your procedure.

Following your surgeon’s recommendations will favor a good outcome.