Post Operative Recovery

Keep in mind surgery is only a tool. Commitment to keeping your followup visits will equal success.

It is also important to meet with our nutritionist to help keep you on track. Our nutritionist is an eating disorders specialist who will work with you to help you attain your weight loss goal. Call our office for an appointment.

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.

Gastric Banding patients are then seen at 6 weeks and a minimum of monthly thereafter for the first year. At one year gastric 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 and Gastric Sleeve 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.

Going Back to Work

Gastric Banding - approximately 1 week.
Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve - approximately 2 weeks.

This is on a case by case basis and will be determined by your surgeon at your post op visit.

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 or gastric sleeve surgery. If you have am adjustable gastric band, you should let your surgeon. For gastric bypass and gastric sleeve 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 at your goal weight. If you are interested you may consult with any plastic surgeon you choose. Dr. Vaimakis and Silvestri wotk with Dr Abramson and Dr. Soto. These plastic surgeons may be contacted directly for a consultation appointment.