Life After Surgery

Patients who stay committed to improving their health are almost always thrilled by the results they achieve with bariatric surgery. Nonetheless, modifying the digestive system to achieve significant weight loss has certain unavoidable long-term implications, and it is important for patients to understand them before proceeding with obesity surgery.

Dietary limitations and requirements, patients’ ability to participate in post-surgical activities and the physical appearance of patients after obesity surgery all affect quality of life. Learning about these challenges, and preparing for them before surgery, will allow patients to transition into their new lifestyle much more easily.

Dietary Limitations and Requirements

Obesity surgery patients will have different dietary needs based on the type of procedure they undergo and the needs of their body. In general, because the capacity of the stomach is drastically reduced, the amount of food a patient can eat will be limited after surgery. Eating more than the stomach can hold tends to cause discomfort and, if done regularly, can undermine the effectiveness of the surgery. Each bite of food should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing to avoid creating blockages. Additionally, certain types of foods may irritate the stomach, causing discomfort and illness. It is best to stick to foods with high nutritional value to get the most out of each calorie. Snacking must be avoided. Patients who have undergone gastric bypass obesity surgery will have to take vitamin supplements, since parts of the stomach and small intestine will no longer absorb nutrients.

Dietary changes are extremely important during the weight loss process, but once weight is lost, maintaining good nutritional habits is just as important. Obesity surgery patients who successfully lose weight will regain weight if they revert to unhealthy eating habits. During your obesity surgery consultation at our Fort Wayne center, Dr. Sloan can answer any questions you may have about these aspects of your treatment.

Activities in One to Two Weeks

As with any major surgery, obesity surgery requires a period of rest and recovery. Most patients are able to return to work and other normal daily activities in one to three weeks, depending on the type of procedure they have undergone. Laparoscopic Adjustable Band surgery patients recover more quickly than Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve patients because the procedures are less invasive. Exercise and other physical activities should be treated similarly — exercise is an important part of weight loss after obesity surgery, but a period of rest and recovery immediately after surgery will be required.

It is important for women who undergo obesity surgery to avoid becoming pregnant until the patient has reached the lowest plateau weight - usually 1 1/2 to 2 years after surgery. The physical demands of pregnancy combined with those of obesity surgery can lead to serious medical complications and even injuries to the fetus.

Physical Appearance After Obesity Surgery

As a person gains weight, the skin stretches to accommodate a larger body. When many pounds of weight are lost, excess skin remains. Though this is not an issue for everyone, some patients are bothered by loose folds of excess skin. The more weight that is lost, the more this will be an issue. For patients who are troubled by excess skin, a number of plastic surgery options are available to address the problem. If necessary, Dr. Sloan can refer obesity surgery patients at Key Bariatric Surgery in Fort Wayne to plastic surgeons in the area.