Weight Loss Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

• Weight Loss Surgery
• Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery
• Bariatric Surgery Cost & Insurance
• Bariatric Surgery Risks & Complications
• After Weight Loss Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery

How does bariatric surgery work?

Weight loss surgical procedures are classified as restrictive, malabsorptive or combination (both restrictive and malabsorptive). Restrictive procedures make the stomach smaller and limit the amount of food patients can eat. Restrictive procedures include gastric sleeve and adjustable gastric banding surgery. Malabsorptive procedures remove a portion of the small intestine so fewer calories are absorbed by the body. Surgeons rarely perform purely malabsorptive procedures. Combination procedures, such as gastric bypass, both shrink the stomach and reroute the small intestine so the patient eats less and absorbs fewer calories.

Who is a candidate for obesity surgery?

Bariatric surgery should be considered for obese or morbidly obese people who have attempted but not succeeded at traditional weight loss methods. You can find out if you qualify by attending a seminar or scheduling an appointment at our Connecticut facility.

In general, to qualify for weight loss surgery, patients must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more (approximately 100 pounds overweight), or
• have a BMI greater than 35 with one or more weight related illness (such as Type 2 diabetes)

How long will it take to recover after bariatric surgery?

The recovery process will be different for every patient. Depending on the type of procedure and your general state of health, recovery can vary from one to six weeks. The surgeons at Griffin Hospital Bariatrics utilize minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques designed to minimize your hospital stay, cause less pain and help you achieve a quicker recovery.

Effectiveness of bariatric surgery

How much weight will I lose with gastric bypass surgery?

Typically, gastric bypass patients can expect to lose about 60 to 80 percent of their excess body weight in the first two years following surgery. The most significant weight loss will occur in the first six months. However, with a commitment to diet and exercise, gastric bypass patients have exhibited continuous weight loss for up to 10 years following surgery.

How much weight will I lose with adjustable gastric banding surgery?

Weight loss with LAP-BAND surgery is more gradual than with gastric bypass surgery. Patients can expect to lose about 50 percent of their excess body weight in the first three years after surgery. In the long run, however, many gastric banding patients are able to achieve weight loss comparable to gastric bypass pass at three years or longer. Additionally, with proper nutrition, a commitment to exercise, and continuous adjustments, many adjustable gastric banding patients demonstrate weight loss even 10 years after surgery.

How much weight will I lose with gastric sleeve surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery as a standalone procedure is relatively new. As such, the long term weight loss results are unknown. However, within the first two years, gastric sleeve surgery patients typically lose 40 to 60 percent of their excess body weight.

Bariatric Surgery Cost & Insurance

Will my insurance cover weight loss surgery?

Many insurance plans cover the cost of weight loss surgery, although some explicitly exclude it. Your health plan may cover the entire cost of your surgery or you may be responsible for a portion of the cost. Your insurance provider or employer should be able to tell you if weight loss surgery is a covered benefit. In some instances, in order to qualify for coverage, insurance companies require patient to document previous weight loss attempts, health conditions related to weight, and current medications before they will approve. The specialists at Griffin Hospital Bariatrics can assist you in working with your health insurance provider and can complete a free insurance verification for you.

What do I do if I am denied coverage?

If your health care provider denies you, or if weight loss surgery is not an included benefit, you still have options. You may appeal the decision. The Griffin Hospital Bariatrics specialists will help you with this process should it become necessary. Many patients also choose to pay for surgery out of pocket. Several lending institutions exist that specialize in financing medical procedures. Many weight loss clinics, bariatric surgeons, plastic surgeons and even dentists have been using these companies for years to help their patients afford treatment. Patient who qualify are frequently offered affordable rates and convenient payment plans.

Bariatric Surgery Risk & Complications

What are the risks and complications of gastric bypass surgery?

Like any other surgery, there are risks and potential complications to gastric bypass surgery. Your surgeon will discuss all of these with you before your surgery at our Connecticut facility. Although rare, complications may include:

• Nausea
• Strictures
• Suture leaks
• Dumping syndrome
• Iron deficiency (anemia)
• Osterporosis

What are the risks and complications of adjustable gastric banding surgery?

Gastric banding is one of the safest weight loss surgical procedures available. However, patients should be aware of the potential risks and complications. These and others will be explained to you before surgery by a bariatric surgeon at our Connecticut facility:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Band slippage or erosion
• Stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage)

What are the risks and complications of gastric sleeve surgery?

Although it has been proven safe, gastric sleeve surgery, like any other surgery, has potential risks and complications. Ask your surgeon to outline all of the potential risks before surgery. Although infrequent, the most common gastric sleeve side effects are:

• Bleeding
• Sleeve leakage
• Infection
• Allergic reaction
• Gastric sleeve blockage

After Weight Loss Surgery

How long will I be in the hospital after weight loss surgery?

The length of time spent in the hospital after weight loss surgery will depend on the type of procedure you have and the condition of your overall health. Griffin Hospital Bariatrics utilizes advanced laparoscopic techniques to minimize hospital stay and promote a quicker recovery. Hospital stays ranger from a 24 hour observance to three days.

What can I eat after weight loss surgery?

In the first few weeks following your procedure, you will be asked to follow a specific diet to allow your stomach to heal. Your surgeon will provide you directions before your surgery so that you have time to prepare. It is important that you follow his or her advice in order to heal properly and avoid complications. Most post weight loss surgery diets involve a steady progression from liquid to solid foods over a 3 to 5 week time period. Once you have fully healed you can being eating normal foods taking precaution to avoid “problem” foods such as sweets for gastric bypass patients and foods that may block the stoma for gastric banding patients. You will also need to adopt a health and nutritious diet to promote weight loss.