FAQ
Our bariatric surgery patients come to us with lots of questions. Here are just a few of the more common:
General Questions
General Questions
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Answer: If you have been overweight for more than five years and have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with other weight-related health problems, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery.
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Answer: Weight loss actually begins right after the surgery, but it may not be noticeable to you for about a week. Adjustable Gastric Band patients may experience a consistently paced loss of one or two pounds a week. Gastric bypass patients can lose more at first, then taper off after twelve to eighteen months. Individual results may vary.
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Answer: Yes. Bariatric surgery provides the opportunity to dramatically reduce the amount of food you eat and the number of calories you absorb from the food you do eat, but there’s no guarantee. Patients who return to their old habits will eventually begin to put back some of the lost weight. The staff at Western Bariatric will work with you to help you maintain your weight loss through behavior modification, education and support groups.
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Answer: Most people think that they will have a life of bland, soft foods after weight loss surgery. This is not the case. We recommend a nutritional balance of high protein foods that consists of fish, chicken, meats, eggs and cheeses. You can add other foods such as vegetables and fruits depending upon the surgery you choose and at certain points in your weight loss journey. Most usually, patients are enjoying a wide array of normal foods but eating a much smaller portion. There are, however, certain foods that are not tolerated well after gastric bypass surgery. Foods containing high concentrations of sugar and fats, such as candy, cakes, ice cream and fried foods are types that may not be well tolerated. These items can cause patients to feel sick, a condition known as “dumping syndrome”.
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Answer: Yes, but we recommend waiting at least one year after your bariatric surgery and or until you have reached your weight loss goals and are at a stable weight for at least three months. Dr. Krahn will help you decide when the time is right for you to consider reconstructive surgery.
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Question: Will I have to take vitamin supplements for the rest of my life after weight loss surgery?
Answer: Absolutely! Vitamin supplementation is imperative after bariatric surgery. For patients who choose an adjustable gastric band, less food is consumed, therefore vitamin supplementation is important. For the gastric bypass patient, an element of malabsorption occurs and the only way to get enough vitamins and minerals is to take them several times a day.