What to Expect Before and After Weight Loss Surgery

The decision to have weight loss surgery is a serious one. It is considered major surgery. If you qualify, you must understand the risks and possible complications that will be fully explained to you by your surgeon. Make sure you know what to expect before and after surgery. You must be willing to change your lifestyle for the rest of your life. Weight loss surgery is not a "quick fix" -- but an important tool that requires significant commitment.

Before Surgery

Before surgery, you will attend a pre-operative nutrition class to learn the process of normal digestion and absorption. You will also learn what impact weight loss surgery can have on nutrition, the various stages your diet will follow after surgery, the importance of protein, vitamin and mineral supplementation, as well as learn about any potential nutritional problems and solutions.

The psychological impact of weight loss surgery is also an important area addressed before surgery. You will meet with a program psychologist to assess the emotional, behavioral and psychosocial factors that may affect your post-surgical experience. This pre-operative class offers guidance for successful behavior modification and management of typical psychological issues that follow surgery.

The Baylor Weight Loss Surgery program also offers a lifestyles class to allow patients and people considering the surgery to meet and get answers from others who have undergone these procedures. Surgeons are also available at these meetings to address any questions or concerns about the surgery.

After Surgery

Within two weeks after surgery, many patients have lost up to 20 pounds. You will attend nutrition classes at two weeks, six weeks, six months and one year after your surgery to help you adjust to new dietary and supplementation guidelines, learn to read food labels, exercise guidelines, strategies for dealing with changing meal patterns and address and solve any potential new challenges.

By six months, your body will continue to change drastically by losing weight. Research has shown within 18 to 24 months, you can expect to have lost 70 to 80 percent of your excess body weight through the Baylor program. Also, most medical complications associated with obesity, including diabetes and hypertension are greatly improved.

To continue to help you maintain your healthy new lifestyle, Baylor offers a one-year and beyond nutrition class. A psychologist is also available to you after your surgery to help you deal with any adjustment issues and help you be successful.