1. Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?
2. What happens to the rest of the stomach?
3. I have had abdominal surgery in the past. Does this mean I can’t have the operation laparoscopically?
4. What happens to the loose skin after I lose the weight?
5. Do I have to take the vitamins forever?
6. How will I stop losing weight when I get to the weight I like?
7. Why do I have to see a psychologist? I’m not crazy.
8. How will I know what I can and cannot eat?
9. Do I have to come to the support groups?
10. How long do I have to be off work?
11. What hospital can I go to for surgery?
12. How long do I need to be in the hospital?
13. When can I get pregnant?
14. Does insurance ________ cover the cost of surgery?
15. I had gastric bypass, but I’m regaining weight and I want a revision. Would the Lap-Band be a possibility?
16. What are the criteria for the Lap Band system? I would like to know if I am a canditate for this procedure.

1. Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

   The decision of whether surgery should be recommended for obesity should be based on an individual assessment of risks and benefits. In general, people may be considered for weight loss surgery if they are morbidly obese (BMI more than 40). Some people who have developed health problems related to obesity (co-morbidities) may be candidates for surgery if their BMI is over 35. To be considered for surgery, patients also should have a history of weight problems over a significant period of time. Treatable metabolic causes of obesity should be ruled out, and the patient should demonstrate sincere attempts at weight loss through diet and exercise. Finally, in order to be considered for surgery, patients need to have the ability to understand and follow the postoperative diet and followup requirements in order to prevent health problems after surgery.

2. What happens to the rest of the stomach?

   The stomach, along with the first parts of the small intestine (duodenum and first part of the jejunum) remain in place and still function after gastric bypass operation. Digestive factors and enzymes are still produced. However, no food travels through this bypassed portion of the gastrointestinal tract. This is one of the major reasons why certain lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements are required after gastric bypass surgery.

3. I have had abdominal surgery in the past. Does this mean I can’t have the operation laparoscopically?

   The decision of whether a person is a candidate for the laparoscopic technique is based on an individual assessment. In general, however, the operation can be achieved laparoscopically in almost all cases. Factors which would increase the chances of needing the open operation include a history of prior operations on the stomach itself, or severe obesity with extremely elevated BMI. Occasionally, the surgeon has to convert a laparoscopic procedure to the open technique if bleeding, scarring, or other problems interfere with visualization in the operating room.

4. What happens to the loose skin after I lose the weight?

   Some patients choose to have plastic surgery. The majority do not. We encourage patients to maintain a regular exercise regimen after surgery to help build muscle tone and minimize the problems with loose skin as much as possible.

5. Do I have to take the vitamins forever?

   Yes, since the stomach and top part of the small intestine are bypassed you will always need your vitamins.

6. How will I stop losing weight when I get to the weight I like?

   As you lose weight and your activity level increases, your body will find its balance and your weight will stabilize.

7. Why do I have to see a psychologist? I’m not crazy.

   We want all our patients to be successful and we have found the psychological component to be very helpful in assisting our patients in areas where they need support.

8. How will I know what I can and cannot eat?

   You will have at least two classes before the surgery with our Program Dietician who will go over everything and give you many easy to use resources.

9. Do I have to come to the support groups?

   We ask you to commit to attending at least four sessions. We have found that the patients who do attend are more successful.

10. How long do I have to be off work?

    It depends on your job. If you have a sedentary job, two weeks may be enough time. For a more strenuous job it could be as much as 6 weeks. This is very individual.

11. What hospital can I go to for surgery?

    The surgeons at Hickory Surgical Clinic perform weight loss surgery at both Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center, in Hickory, NC.

12. How long do I need to be in the hospital?

    The usual hospital stay allows you to go home the third day.

13. When can I get pregnant?

    It is best to avoid pregnancy during a period of rapid weight loss. We therefore recommend you wait at least one year, to allow your weight to stabilize. Women who take birth control pills or patch contraceptives should use a backup method of birth control for the first year, since these methods may be unreliable during the period of rapid weight loss!

14. Does insurance ________ cover the cost of surgery?

    In order to determine whether your insurance policy covers weight loss surgery (either gastric bypass OR Lap-Band), you can contact your insurance company directly or ask your human resources manager where you work. Please call us if you need any additional help with this.

15. I had gastric bypass, but I’m regaining weight and I want a revision. Would the Lap-Band be a possibility?

    While the Lap-Band is “adjustable”, it should NOT be thought of as a way to “adjust” the size of the connection that is created during a gastric bypass operation. The band is placed in a different location on the stomach. Often, weight regain after any operation can be managed with relatively simple measures that do not require surgery at all. The need for surgery is best determined by consulting with your surgeon.

16. What are the criteria for the Lap Band system? I would like to know if I am a canditate for this procedure.

    The indications for the Lap Band system are the same as for other weight loss operations like the gastric bypass. Patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater are candidates for weight loss surgery, as are patients who have a BMI of 35 or greater associated with obesity-related health problems. Choosing which operation is right for you depends largely on your own personal preferences as you compare the pros and cons of each choice. Certain other considerations may need to be taken into account in some cases, and this will be discussed on an individual basis when you meet with your surgeon.

If you couldn’t find the answer to your question, then just ask us using the form below:

If you or someone you love is morbidly obese, please call us at (828) 327-9178 to get a full assessment of your condition. Weight loss surgery may be an option for you.