Read through a list of our frequently asked questions concerning bariatric surgery and the surgery process options we provide.
Listed below are the names of insurance companies that in the past have approved patients for weight loss surgical procedures. Contact them directly to determine whether they currently cover weight loss surgery.
Each person’s case is different. But depending on the operation it usually lasts about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. After surgery you will remain in the recovery room until your anesthesiologist clears you to be moved to your hospital room, usually about 1 hour after surgery.
You will remain in the hospital until the surgeon has decided that you are stable enough to return home, usually one day. Adjustable gastric band patients may go home the same day.
The time that you take off from work depends on what type of work you do. After the laparoscopic/Robotic approach, you can go back to a desk job sometimes in as little as one week. Most people take about two weeks off from work.
Yes. Our surgeries are performed robotically. During robotic surgery, the surgeon makes several very small incisions. A tiny video camera is inserted through a small tube into the abdomen. The surgeon is able to see into the abdomen by watching the video from the camera on a nearby monitor. The surgeon watches the monitor and uses surgical instruments that have been inserted through other small incisions to perform the surgery. We are able to complete the operation using this technique in the vast majority of cases.
The surgeon may decide to take out your gallbladder if it is causing you significant problems. If you still have your gallbladder and it is causing you symptoms, the surgeon may request an ultrasound of your gallbladder to examine it better before to your surgery, to determine whether removing it is necessary.
Your surgeon will be in the room and is the person performing the entire operation. Dr. Smith uses a specialized team that is specifically trained to assist him in his robotic procedures and will be present as well. Dr. Smith also often has surgeons from all over the United States observe his surgeries in hopes to learn some of the robotic surgeries he performs. They will only be present to observe the procedures and will never be taking part in them.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass changes your gastrointestinal tract. Because nothing is removed during this bypass, it can be reversed. However, this operation should be viewed as a permanent change. If you are not ready for that type of commitment, this type of procedure may not be the best option for you at this point.
It is not recommended to drink carbonated beverages.
There is no reliable way to predict the amount of excess skin you may have. Younger patients will have fewer problems with excess skin after weight loss but most patients will have excess skin that may require surgery for removal.
Ages 18-65 are good years for weight loss surgery.
Your energy level may be low immediately following surgery. You will need about one to two weeks after laparoscopic surgery before going back to work.
Georgetown Bariatrics & Metabolic Center DOES NOT have a Program Fee. In addition, at no cost you may have a six month diet plan.
First and foremost, educate yourself. Read all materials available or downloadable from our website. Check out other reputable online resources like obesityhelp.com, ASMBS.org, and obesityaction.org. Attend our informational seminar, and/or one of our support group sessions. Listen to the stories of other weight loss surgery patients, which you can also find online or in print, but be aware of the individual differences in surgical experience and compliance. Begin to put in place the recommended healthy lifestyle behaviors that go hand-in-hand with weight loss success, such as weaning carbonated/caffeinated beverages, building in healthy protein sources to each meal, increasing physical activity as able, and cutting out simple and starchy carbohydrates. You will find that the sooner you “surrender” to these recommendations, the easier it will be to adopt and maintain this healthy lifestyle after surgery, and you will be more successful long-term in keeping off excess weight.
Pregnancy after Weight Loss Surgery is very possible. In fact, women who have suffered from infertility in the past will often regain their fertility as they lose weight. However, we recommend that our female patients avoid pregnancy for ideally at least 18 months to two years after Weight Loss Surgery – specifically with Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve. The reasoning behind this is that periods of rapid weight loss are not the ideal situation for nourishing a growing fetus.
However, after you’ve gotten past your first two years, have lost the bulk of your excess weight and are successfully maintaining, pregnancy is much safer for both you and the baby, as you will be lighter, more active and healthier all around. In addition, you will have a lower risk of weight-related pregnancy and delivery complications, and the baby, if born at a healthy weight, will have a lower risk of later health problems as well. If you become pregnant, please let us know as soon as possible because we’ll work closely with you and your OB-GYN to make sure you don’t become vitamin or mineral deficient during the pregnancy.
There is no right or wrong surgery, but the choice is usually largely up to the patient, with input by the providers. The decision should be based first on a clear understanding of the basics of each surgery, including risks and benefits; health conditions which may favor the benefits of one surgery vs. another, or conversely, increase the risks; an acknowledgement of current eating style as to which procedure is truly “best fit”; and personal preference. Our goal is to help you make the best informed decision possible for your circumstances and health challenges.