FAQs: After the Procedure
What size will my new stomach be? 1-2 ounces What kind of post-op care/help will I require once I go home and for how long? Some help may needed the first week after you return home depending on the surgery and whether or not it was done open or laparoscopically. Your surgeon will provide instructions for home care. How long is the average recovery? Recovery depends on how fast you heal, the procedure you had, and whether or not it was done laparoscopically. How much weight should I expect to lose and how fast? The amount of weight loss depends on many factors - the procedure, how compliant you are with what you eat and how you eat it, and how much weight you had to lose to begin with. What kind of exercise should I start and when? Exercise is extremely important in a weight loss program. The type and extent of exercise right after surgery varies with the individual. One may start walking a little each day after getting home and gradually increase to 30 minutes each day. As one loses weight and begins to feel stronger, he/she can increase the amount of exercise and the difficulty of the exercise as early as 6 weeks after surgery or earlier if advised by his/her doctor. Please discuss with the surgeon at the time of discharge. How much water should I drink? No less than 8 glasses (64 ounces) of non-carbonated, sugar free, decaffeinated, non-alcohol liquids. How often are follow-up appointments necessary? Your surgeon will instruct you on how often he wants to see you during the first 6 months. After that, you should have at least an annual checkup. Please keep in touch with our staff frequently in the immediate post-op period. Remember, there is no such thing as a silly question when your health is involved. Will I need to have any tests after surgery? Yes, most patients are required to have lab work at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery or more frequent if a problem develops. You should have at least annual lab work thereafter.