Weight Management & Surgery

Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Weight Loss Surgery Program?

The Weight Loss Surgery Program is a multi-disciplined approach designed around medical and clinical professionals dedicated to assisting you in your commitment to making a lifestyle change. There are no miracle pills, fad diets, or gimmicks. It is a program for individuals at least 100 pounds over their ideal body weight and who have made serious attempts to lose weight through other methods. It is designed for the person who experiences the discomforts of obesity and who has other adverse health effects as well.

Is a Psychological Evaluation Required for Bariatric Surgery?

Yes. A routine psychological screening is a means of distinguishing a qualified candidate who may be at risk of psychiatric complications or poor weight loss post-operatively. Although you may have undergone a previous psychiatric evaluation, the Surgical Weight Loss Program requires that a psychologist familiar with bariatric surgery conduct an evaluation prior to surgery. The following is a list of factors that the psychologist/psychiatrist may use for evaluation of bariatric surgery candidates.

• Past or present history of a major psychiatric disorder, especially a psychosis
• Acute psychosocial crisis
• Extreme evidence of depression or other expected emotional reaction to morbid obesity
• Unrealistic expectations of surgery (for example, a conviction that surgery will make a spouse love them more or that the patient will be able to lose weight without restricting the amount and type of food eaten)
• Abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs or nonprescription drugs
• Evidence of extreme ambivalence about the surgery such as forgetting important appointments associated with the surgery.

Note: It is important that prior to your psychological evaluation, you contact your insurance company to inquire about your mental health benefits. Familiarize yourself with your out-of-pocket expenses. Click here to view a list of insurance accepted.

How Does this Procedure Assist in Weight Loss?

Many morbidly obese people may be facing life-threatening situations. They have tried many diets with little or no success. Even when they experience weight loss, the weight is often re-gained with added pounds. Bariatric surgery is considered a permanent procedure and therefore can have long term results when patients comply with the nutritional/exercise guidelines and are committed to the program requirements.

What Kind of Diet is Required After Surgery?

After surgery different textures of food are introduced, starting with liquids, followed by pureed and finally advancing to solid foods. At the solid food stage, the food must be high in protein and consumed in much smaller quantities than prior to surgery.

How Quickly Does a Person Lose Weight After the Surgery?

Weight loss is highly individualized. The amount of weight lost after surgery is dependent on many factors including age, sex, amount of weight to lose, and compliance with the nutritional and exercise components of the program.

Once the Desired Weight is Lost, How Does One Maintain that Weight?

Bariatric surgery has an excellent long-term track record for helping morbidly obese individuals maintain weight loss. If you are committed to making permanent dietary and lifestyle changes, your chance of weight re-gain is minimized.

Is it Necessary to Attend Support Groups Before and After Weight Loss Surgery?

Yes, the long term objective of the group in the surgical treatment of obesity is to ensure the maintenance of a stable lifestyle. The short term objective is setting up new habits for a new healthier lifestyle. Members mutually support themselves in a non-threatening environment. Support groups have important psychological and social meaning as a medical treatment method and are an indispensible part of the surgical treatment of obesity.

How Long Will One Have to Watch Their Weight? Is it Forever?

YES! You will want to maintain the caloric intake in proportion to your desired weight, control your eating behaviors and maintain a regular exercise program.

How Long Does the Surgery Take?

This varies and depends on which procedure is performed. We can explain in more detail at the educational seminar.

What are the Potential Risks?

There are risks and complications, including death, associated with all major surgical procedures and severe obesity increases these risks. It is of the utmost importance that you discuss the possible benefits and all the possible risks of obesity surgery with your physician.

Long-term weight loss varies for each patient and will depend upon diet and exercise.