New evaluation appointments are usually booked 4-8 months in advance. Once a patient is seen, if the surgeon and patient agree it is appropriate, the operation can usually be scheduled within 8 weeks. Why so long? There is more need for weight loss surgery than there are qualified bariatric surgeons.One of the obstacles at CCS has been working with our patients to get insurance approval.

New Bariatric program appointments with the nurse practitioner are made once we receive your personal history form. An evaluation appointment with the surgeon is usually booked 4-6 weeks after we receive a clearance letter from your clinical nutritionist or bariatric physician. Once a patient is seen by the surgeon and the surgeon and patient agree surgery is appropriate, the operation can usually be scheduled within 8 weeks.

Gastric Bypass surgery has been performed on patients as young as 16 years of age. In this age group, the concern is that the patient make the decision for surgery him- or her-self, and that there be a full understanding and commitment to the life long altered eating pattern which will be necessary for success.

Patients can expect to be out of bed by evening of the same day of the surgery, with a total hospitalization stay of about 3-4 days. The surgical recovery period averages between 3-5 weeks. Every person's weight loss experience is different. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the patient, the more weight they are likely to lose. Most patients can expect to lose two-thirds of their excess weight. Most of that weight loss will occur within the first 18 months.

If you follow-up with your doctor on a regular basis there should be no long term side effects except for increasing your life span by 10-15 years. If you don't take your vitamins or calcium supplements you could suffer from osteoporosis.

Many studies done by experienced laparoscopic bariatric surgeons have demonstrated laparoscopic gastric bypass to be safe. A study done by Dr. Oliak (see Description of Surgeries section) demonstrated the importance of surgeon experience. He found complication rates to be significantly higher during the "learning curve" for laparoscopic gastric bypass. Complication rates stabilize at a low rate after a surgeon completes approximately 75 laparoscopic gastric bypass operations.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass is accomplished with 5 small incisions rather than one long incision. A camera is placed through one of the incisions and long instruments through the others. The operation is performed while watching a video screen. The actual operation on the stomach and intestine is the same with both approaches.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass results in a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less scarring, and a quicker return to usual activities. Complications such as wound infections and wound hernias are nearly eliminated with the laparoscopic approach. The risk for serious complications (such as leak) is similar with both laparoscopic and open gastric bypass.

Typically no earlier than 1 year in Dr. Spence's practice, by this time most patients should be within a few pounds of their final stable weight. Yes, liposuction can be performed safely in conjunction with a body lift; most frequently around the waist and thighs to improve ones body proportion.

Fats and sweets, when consumed above advised levels, can lead to abdominal cramping, sweating and lack of energy. Dr. Schneider will go over the diet changes you'll need to make to enjoy life after a Gastric Bypass. Gastric bypass surgery causes food to be moved from the small stomach pouch straight into the small intestine. Sweets and foods high in fat can irritate the small intestine and produces an unpleasant feeling. If you eat while drinking fluids, the same affect is produced.

If you are able to have the procedure done laparoscopically, you may be able to go home as soon as 48 hours after surgery. You should have only mild to moderate pain that is well controlled by medicine. You will have an IV pain pump that you control for the first 24-36 hours before you are switched over to pain medicine taken by mouth. You will wake up with a drain coming out of your abdomen and only rarely one coming out your nose.