Weight Loss Surgery

You can expect to go back to work in 4-6 weeks. With that said, this varies based on the type of work and your recovery. Your surgeon will provide you with clear instructions throughout your recovery. It is important to remember that there is no set recovery time-everyone is different. You may be able to work half days or every other day depending on the kind of work you are coming back to. If your job is involves physical activities, such as lifting, then this may not be an option compared to someone with a more sedentary job.

Remember you will have low energy for up to six weeks after surgery. Your safety and the safety of others is extremely important during this time. Don’t underplay your need for recovery time. Remember that the benefits of bariatric surgery can make you more productive at work in the future so it is in everyone’s interest that your recovery time is responsibly taken into consideration.

As you lose weight, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for high blood pressure, heart disease, cholesterol, and diabetes medications. You may even be able to discontinue your diabetic medications when you leave the hospital. 

Yes. It is essential that you are closely monitored by your primary care physician because medical conditions will change following weight loss surgery. Dr. Knaus, the center’s internal medicine physician, will work with you in the hospital and during your first week of recovery. He will keep your primary care physician informed on your progress during that week.

Almost everyone is able to find some activity to “count” as moderate exercise, even those who are unable to walk, or have arthritis or spine pain. Our exercise specialist will work with you both before and after surgery to help find what works best for you.

At your first appointment, you will discuss exercise recommendations, determine your best method of exercise, and go over any modifications needed due to physical limitations or restrictions.

These visits are covered by most insurance companies. For payment details, contact your insurance carrier and ask about coverage for CPT code 99211, which is a non-physician visit.

You should avoid pregnancy for at least two years after surgery as it is very difficult during this period to continue your weight loss and get the proper nutrition for your unborn child. As you lose the weight, you may become more fertile. Use any and all protection so you do not get pregnant for the first two years. Please discuss any pregnancy plans with your surgeon. The good news is that, after surgery, there is much less risk of experiencing problems during pregnancy and during childbirth.

As you start losing weight, you may notice excess skin. This is different for everyone depending weight loss, age, genetics, and exercise or smoking habits. For some people, the skin will tone up. For others, the skin remains stretched or sagging around in the waist or other parts of your body. Some people choose to live with the excess skin and hide it with clothing or compression garments, while others have it removed with plastic surgery. We recommend waiting at least 18 months before plastic surgery. 

You will need to take over-the-counter vitamins or minerals each day for the rest of your life after surgery. Your dietitian will help you pick the right vitamins for you. 

Normally is now a relative term. Right after surgery your stomach will only be able to hold 2 tablespoons at a time but eventually will hold a 1 ½ cup. Your dietitian will help you prepare for this before surgery and guide you through the process after surgery. By 6 months, most people feel comfortable going to parties or out to eat; however there are guidelines that will always need to be considered such as eating protein first with meals. 

Your first nutrition visit will be in a small group setting with 1 to 3 other patients. This visit is 75 minutes. You will meet with the bariatric dietitian as well as the exercise physiologist and care manager at this visit. You will learn about the lifelong commitment following weight loss surgery. This includes the preoperative low carbohydrate and high protein diet that you will need to follow between your nutrition visits and until surgery. Come to this visit with questions.

Before this visit be sure to complete the two bariatric questionnaires in your myThedaCare account.

The remaining nutrition visits will be a one to one session with you and the dietitian. It will be important for you to bring your food journal to each visit. You and the dietitian will review this food journal to make modifications to current eating habits and celebrate successes. The preoperative low carbohydrate and high protein diet prepares you for the diet after surgery. It also shrinks a typically enlarged fatty liver. This allows the surgeons to safely complete a minimally invasive weight loss surgery.

• Always eat protein first at every meal.
• No non-protein snacking
• Sip eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (64 oz. total)—no gulping
• Exercise at least 20 minutes per day
• Take daily vitamin supplements
• Attend one full year on monthly support group meetings
• Carefully tend to your emotional and mental health and ask for help when you need it.
• Do not use any tobacco or anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve, Motrin, or ibuprofen without first taking medicine to protect the lining of your stomach.
• Do not drink anything beyond very small amounts of alcohol.

This typically takes 3 to 8 months, but varies based on requirements set by your insurance plan. These requirements will be clearly identified in your pathway letter, which you will receive within 7 business days of completing the bariatric questionnaires.

First, call 920.729.3363 to schedule your first nutrition visit called the initial bariatric nutrition class.

Next be sure to complete the two bariatric questionnaires in your myThedaCare account before your first group nutrition visit.