RISKS OF SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS:

Weight loss surgery, as with any major surgery, has risks of which you should be aware. These may include:

• An internal infection from leakage of digestive juices into the body cavity - this is not common.
• Vomiting because of the decreased size of the stomach.
• Wound infections at incision sites - This risk is greatly reduced when the procedure is done laparoscopically.
• Hernias – A weakening of the abdominal wall - this also is a weight loss surgery risk that is greatly reduced when the procedure is done laparoscopically.
• Blood clots – May cause a more serious condition called a pulmonary embolism, which can nearly always be avoided by wearing special pressure stockings after your weight loss surgery.
• Vitamin deficiencies – May be preventable by taking daily vitamin supplements. Periodic lab testing may also be required.

The risks of undergoing major surgery will be reviewed with you in great detail over the course of your preoperative evaluation. Further away from surgery, the following can be considered “side-effects” (some desired) of the procedure:

• Dumping Syndrome – You may feel light-headed, flush, nauseated, have abdominal pain, and a fast heart rate. This is often caused by the stomach contents moving too rapidly through the small intestine or eating high carbohydrate food. This can be prevented with proper nutrition, eating slower and chewing thoroughly.
• Chronic nausea and vomiting – Usually related to overeating, but can be a result of narrowing of one of the intestinal connections or scar tissue leading to a bowel obstruction.
• Hair loss – Most patients experience some form of hair loss. This will resolve in most cases when weight loss stops.
• Development of gall bladder disease and/or gallstones – Due to rapid weight loss. To prevent gallstones we may prescribe supplemental bile salts for the first six months after your weight loss surgery.

10-20% of patients who have weight loss surgery require follow-up operations to correct complications.

Women of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy after their weight loss surgery until their weight becomes stable because rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus.

There are no guarantees that weight loss surgery using any surgical procedure will produce and maintain weight loss. Success is possible only with your fullest cooperation and commitment to behavioral change and medical follow up. This important cooperation and commitment should be carried out the rest of your life to ensure your weight loss surgery success.

REALITIES OF WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY:

Weight loss surgery requires lifestyle changes, long-term medical monitoring and follow-up. The road to surgery includes a lengthy and tedious preoperative evaluation process. Only patients who are medically and psychologically suited for weight loss surgery are selected.

Initially, a patient’s diet is limited to sugar-free clear liquids. It is slowly expanded to include soft foods, and then finally solid foods. Patients find that only a little bit of food will make them feel full. They are instructed to eat small amounts several times a day.

Vitamins after weight loss surgery

Because weight loss surgery changes the digestive process, lifelong nutritional supplements are essential to prevent malnutrition and deficiencies. Patients must take daily multivitamins in addition to B12, iron and calcium supplements.

Taking Personal Responsibility

Weight loss surgery is a tool, something to help patients do the work. Patients must adjust their eating habits and exercise patterns. Studies show that patients who commit to eating a healthy diet, take the required supplements, have routine blood work drawn and incorporate an exercise program into their lifestyle have the best long-term results.

Weight loss surgery gives patients the physical tool to assist with obesity. Patients must be committed to making the mental and emotional changes necessary after weight loss surgery to ensure successful weight loss. This commitment will also ensure long-term weight maintenance.

Lack of exercise, poorly balanced meals, constant grazing, eating processed carbohydrates and drinking carbonated beverages are among the common cause of not maintaining weight loss after surgery.

You will need to manage your food intake and exercise for the rest of your life. There are many requirements that a postoperative weight loss surgery patients must abide by for long-term success. The weight loss surgery is considered a functional surgery because of the many ramifications a patient will experience.

Our team of professionals provide you with a variety of learning and sharing opportunities. We hold regular support group meetings and provide ongoing access to education. Click here to see our Support Center. Some of the general recommendations that patients follow, once they are beyond the first few weeks after surgery and have been cleared to proceed are:

• Do not drink liquids with meals.
• Eat three tiny, protein-focused meals per day and two snacks (at first).
• Stop eating before you feel full.
• Chew very well to prevent vomiting, cramping or blockage.
• Concentrate on eating protein foods such as fish, cheese, eggs, poultry and seafood first before other foods.
• No grazing or snacking throughout the day.
• Avoid very sweet foods, candy, chocolate and high-sugar beverages to prevent the unpleasant effects of dumping syndrome.
• Sip very low calorie and carbonation-free liquids all day long.
• Minimize alcohol intake as it is high in calories, may cause ulcers and the effects will be felt much more quickly.
• Take a multivitamin supplement every day as described above.
• See your surgeon regularly for follow-up visits to monitor health.
• Maintain a regular exercise program of at least 30 minutes a minimum of four days a week.

Follow the link to the next page to learn more about undergoing weight loss surgery.