Post Operative Recovery
Life after Surgery can be an even more stressful time for patients than before surgery. Most patients are anxious and concerned that they are doing things “the right way.” If you have questions, we are here to help! You should never be afraid to reach out to the surgeon, nutritionist, psychologist or office staff with questions. The patient manual as well as our website has a lot of information but sometimes patients just feel better speaking with someone. Our mission has always been to provide a warm and caring atmosphere where patients feel supported. We especially try to encourage patients who feel they are not “doing well” to come in or call and discuss their concerns with the surgeon.
Follow up Visits
You should keep regularly scheduled visits with the nutritionist as well as with the surgeon. All patients are seen within 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Lap Band patients are then seen at 6 weeks and a minimum of monthly thereafter for the first year. At one year Lap Band patients will undergo laboratory tests to check vitamin and supplement levels as well as an UGI to check the placement of the band. After that patients are seen at least once a year or more often if needed/requested by the patient. Remember that adjustments to the band are absolutely essential to ensure adequate weight loss.
Gastric Bypass patients are seen at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and yearly. Gastric Bypass patients will have their vitamin and supplement levels checked at 6 months and then yearly thereafter.
Keep in mind, that surgery is not the “easy way out.” This is a difficult process that takes time and commitment from you in order to be successful.
Regular visits with the surgeon are essential to make sure that your progress remains on track. It is important to always call the surgeon if you have concerns with abdominal pain, vomiting, and or fever > 101.0F.
Going Back to Work
This is often a difficult question to answer as different people experience pain and discomfort in different degrees. Most patients following laparoscopic surgery describe the pain as “muscle soreness” and not true pain.
Patients are sent home with narcotic pain meds and usually will need them for the first few days if only at night.
You will be allowed to drive 3 days after you return home from the hospital and as long as you are not taking narcotic pain meds.
There is a large variety in the time patients take to return to work often based on one’s own desire to return to work! In general most patients return to work after one week following laparoscopic gastric banding and 2 weeks following laparoscopic gastric bypass.
Keep in mind, that in the first two weeks, patients are often tired and weak as they are only consuming liquids and protein shakes. These feelings subside significantly once the puree diet is started.
Medications Post op
You should review your medications with your primary care physician and surgeon before surgery so you know which medications to take and which to stop before surgery. Following surgery you should review this list with your surgeon. Make an appointment within a few days after discharge to see your primary care physician as the need for certain hypertension and diabetes medications often changes pretty rapidly and you may feel symptoms. Certain NSAID medications including aspirin as well as contraceptive medications may not be restarted right away. Be sure to review this with the surgeon.
Sexual Activity/Pregnancy
You must use your judgement with resuming sexual activity following surgery. It is often best to wait for the first post op visit to ensure that you are feeling well and you have been checked by the surgeon prior to resuming sexual relations. Keep in mind, you should plan NOT to get pregnant for at least 18 months following gastric bypass surgery. If you have a Lap Band, you should let your surgeon know immediately so that the band may be deflated. For gastric bypass patients, you must let your OB/GYN know that you have had the surgery as you will be required to take additional vitamins and supplements to support the baby and your nutritional needs.
Plastic Surgery
All patients that lose a significant amount of weight, whether it is rapidly or slowly will experience some degree of loose skin. Exercise can definitely help especially to maintain tone but usually will not completely prevent loose skin. This is a very individual process and depends on the degree of damage to your skin. You should not plan to consider plastic surgery until you are close to your goal weight. If you are interested you may consult with any plastic surgeon you choose. Dr. David Abramson works with Dr. Vaimakis and all different types of surgeries are performed by Dr. Abramson with Dr. Vaimakis present. If you are interested you may contact Dr. Abramson directly to set up a consultation.