Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients have many questions about the type of procedures and the specific requirements needed for weight loss surgery. The first step is to attend a free informational seminar to learn more about weight loss surgery. 

There are very few reasons for not having bariatric surgery. The most common disqualifiers are active drug abuse and excessive alcohol intake. We also ask that patient’s psychiatric illnesses, if any, be under control.
 

We recommend that you have your support person watch weight loss video with you.

1. Attend a free informational seminar to learn more about the weight loss surgery process.
2. Make a list of all the diets you have tried and bring it with you to your appointment.
3. If you do not have a Baylor Medicine doctor, please bring any pertinent medical data to your appointment with the surgeon. This would include reports of special tests (echocardiogram, sleep study, etc.) or hospital discharge summaries if you have been in the hospital.
4. Bring a list of your current medications with the dose and schedule.
5. Stop smoking. Surgical patients who use tobacco products are at a higher surgical risk.
    

1. Why did you choose to be a bariatric surgeon?
2. How many cases have you done?
3. How many years have you been doing this?
4. How safe is bariatric surgery?
5. Do you do the surgery laparoscopically?
6. How long do you follow up your patients?
7. I have failed to lose weight so many times. What will be different this time?
8. Do people keep losing weight forever, or does weight loss stop?
9. Am I a candidate for surgery?
10. What are the steps I have to do before surgery?
11. How will I deal with not eating XXXX, which is my favorite food?
12. Eating is a central activity in our household. Will this affect my family?

Medical problems, such as serious heart or lung problems, can increase the risk of any surgery.  Some of these medical problems may be weight-related, whereas weight loss surgery can improve these medical conditions. Your surgeon may require a pre-operative clearance of these medical problems, to ensure it is safe for you to have surgery.

One of the main reasons why bariatric surgery has become so safe is that we do not rush into surgery.

Every patient receives a thorough evaluation by physicians, nutritionists, psychologists and exercise physiologists. These evaluations help make sure to reduce the risk of surgery so that we can optimize successful outcomes.

It takes at least 2 months to be ready for surgery, but many health insurance companies require anywhere from 3 to 6 months of preparation. 

Some insurance policies have an exclusion for weight loss surgery.  

Gather all the information (diet records, medical records, medical tests) your insurance company may require before your consultation. Write down your weight loss history. Go as far back as you can and include diets and exercise programs. If possible, pull together receipts for gym memberships and weight loss programs. This can help reduce the time it takes to navigate through your insurance plan's process. 

After completing all required nutrition visits, psychology evaluation and additional required tests, your surgeon’s office will send this information to your insurance carrier.  Each insurance carrier timeframe for surgery authorization can vary from one to four weeks.  Our insurance specialist will contact you once we receive approval for weight loss surgery from your insurance carrier.

Although it can vary, the hospital stay (including the day of surgery) can be one to two days, but is usually 24 hours. 

Every attempt is made to control pain after weight loss surgery to make it possible for you to move about quickly and become active. Various methods of pain control are available, ask your surgeon about specific pain management options.

For your own safety, you should not drive until you have stopped taking narcotic medications and can move quickly and alertly to operate your car. Usually this takes 5-7 days after weight loss surgery.

Your doctors will have you up and walking the day of surgery.  On leaving the hospital, you should be able to care for all your personal needs but will need help with shopping, lifting, and transportation.

Personal toiletries (comb, toothbrush, etc.) and an outfit to change into before going home.  A hospital gown will be provided during your stay. Choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off.  Also, keep in mind your clothes may become stained by blood or other body fluids. Other ideas:

• Reading and writing materials
• Crosswords and other puzzles
• Bathrobe
   

Smoking increases the risk of lung problems after weight loss surgery, can slow healing by interfering with blood supply to the healing tissues, and can increase the chance of developing an infection.

Many patients experience some hair loss or thinning after weight loss surgery. This usually occurs between the fourth and the eighth month after surgery, Consistent intake of protein is the most important prevention method.  Also, take the recommended daily vitamin and mineral supplements, and adequate fluid intake. 

Yes, patients experience natural hair growth recovery after the initial period of loss.

Patients may begin to wonder about this early after weight loss surgery when they are losing 20-40 pounds per month, or maybe when they have lost more than 100 pounds and they are still losing weight. Weight loss stabilizes because the body's metabolism is “reset” to healthy levels so that calorie processing is corrected. 

You will need to keep in close contact with your primary care doctor regarding any long-term medications you are currently taking. For medications that need to be continued, the vast majority can be swallowed, absorbed, and work the same as before weight loss surgery. Your doctor will determine whether certain medications can be discontinued after weight loss surgery. Change in dosage may be required with weight loss but will need to be discussed with your primary care doctor. 

Two classes of medications that should be discussed during your consultation with your surgeon are diuretics (water pills) and NSAIDs (most over-the-counter pain medicines). In the case of patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) may create ulcers in the small pouch or the attached bowel. Diuretic medications promote urine formation which might lead to dehydration after bariatric surgery.  

Most patients say no. This is due to a marked reduction in the level of Ghrelin, the hunger-producing hormone which is either removed with the sleeve gastrectomy, or reduced with gastric bypass. In fact, for the first four to six weeks, patients have almost no appetite. Over the next several months, one’s appetite slowly returns, but never to the degree it was before surgery.

Many people who are over the age of 30 have stretched their skin beyond the point from which it can "snap back." Some patients will choose to have plastic surgery to remove loose or excess skin after they have lost their weight. Insurance generally does not pay for this type of surgery. However, some insurances will pay for certain types of plastic surgery to remove excess skin when complications arise from the skin folds.  Ask your surgeon about your need for a skin removal procedure which are typically performed once weight loss has stabilized, usually at 18 months after surgery.

No, on the contrary, both gastric bypass and bariatric surgery have been shown to not only extend the life span of patients but also improve the quality of life.