Frequently Asked Questions :
Q: How long will it take me to recover from surgery?
A: If adjustable gastric banding surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital or just a few hours in an outpatient surgery center. It takes most patients a few days to to return to work – although we recommend you plan for up to a week. In the extremely rare case of open surgery or if there are complications, recovery may take longer.
Q: How much weight will I lose?
A: Weight loss results vary from patient to patient, and the amount of weight you may lose depends on several factors. Using the Band as a tool is very important. Having the correct amount tightness or restriction and a committment to your new lifestyle and eating habits will help you achieve your goals. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure, and the weight won’t come off by itself just simply having a gastric band in your body. It is very important to set achievable weight-loss goals from the beginning. A weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible, but one to two pounds a week is more likely. Twelve to eighteen months after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that you will lose weight gradually. Your main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems associated with morbid obesity.
Q: Does the adjustable gastric band surgery require frequent office visits after surgery?
A: Check-ups are a normal and a very important part of follow-up after gastric band surgery. Patients will be asked to follow up on a monthly basis during the first year post-operatively, then quarterly, biannually or at a once a year visit, depending on where you are in your weight loss curve.
Q: Does the adjustable gastric band limit any physical activity?
A: The adjustable gastric band does not affect or hamper physical activity including aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise long term. You will be asked to avoid abdominal crunches and strenuous abdominal exercises for the first several weeks after surgery.
Q: How is the band adjusted?
A: Adjustments are performed in the office. A specialized fine needle is passed through the skin and into the access port to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes only a few minutes. Most patients say it is nearly painless. You will be asked to drink some water to assess the tightness of the band. We may also elect to use our fluoroscopy machine that is also located in the office. This gives added information and may also diagnose problems post-operatively.
Q: Do I have to be careful with the access port just underneath my skin?
A: There are no restrictions based on the access port. It is placed under the skin of the abdominal wall, and once the incisions have healed it should not cause discomfort or limit your movements or any physical exercise. If you feel persistent discomfort in the port area, let us know as soon as possible.
Q: Can the band be removed?
A: Although the adjustable gastric band is not meant to be removed, it can be. In most cases this can be done laparoscopically. The stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed. After the removal, though, you may soon go back up to your original weight or even gain more.
Q: Will I need plastic surgery for the excess skin when I have lost a lot of weight?
A: Generally speaking, plastic surgery should not be considered for at least a year or two after the operation. Sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. You should give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery. Plastic Surgery is considered cosmetic in most cases and will be a personal decision that you might have to make, once you regain your health.
Q: Is it true that the adjustable gastric band seems “tighter” in the morning?
A: This is a fairly common feeling. During the day the water content in the body changes and this may cause the band to feel “tighter” some of the time. Some women have also noticed that the adjustable gastric band feels tighter during menstruation.
Q: Will I feel hungry or deprived with the adjustable gastric band?
A: The adjustable gastric band makes you eat less and feel full in two ways – by reducing the capacity of your stomach and increasing the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel full. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well, you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that the adjustable gastric band is a TOOL to help you change your eating habits, to take away some of the hunger and cravings, and to help you feel full faster and longer.
Q: What will happen if I become ill?
A: One of the major advantages of the adjustable gastric band system is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the band can be loosened by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the band can be tightened by increasing the amount of saline. Persistant vomiting can harm your stomach and band. You may need to be seen for deflation of your adjustable gastric band if vomiting occurs, but please call the office if you have any questions or concerns.
Q: What if I get pregnant?
A: Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you do become pregnant, you will need more calories while you are pregnant or breast feeding, the band can be loosened if needed, but not always. After the pregnancy and breast feeding, you can resume your weight loss course and the band can be tighter again. If you have a straightforward pregnancy, without much nausea, vomiting, or heartburn, the band will be kept with at least some fluid in it.
Q: Will I need to take vitamin supplements?
A: A chewable or liquid multivitamin once a day is sufficient for most patients. Remember, you are eating less food, therefore getting less of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs from your food.
Q: What about other medication?
A: You should be able to take prescribed medication. Most patients are able to continue their medication regimen without making major changes. However, on a individual patient basis, you may need to open capsules, break big tablets in half or dissolve them in water so they do not get stuck in the stomach inside the band and make you sick. You should always ask the doctor who prescribes the nedications about this. Most pills or tablets that are the size of a pencil eraser of smaller can usually be swallowed without any difficulty.
Q: What if I go out to eat?
A: Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Or portion your meal at the beginning to fit onto a saucer sized plate, and place the rest in a take out box. Eat slowly, for approximately 30 minutes. Also, remember that drinking with your meal may cause vomiting or allow you to eat more food. This is because the liquid pushes the food out of the small upper stomach pouch making you hungry faster. Try to separate eating and drinking by 20-30 minutes.
Q: What about carbonated drinks?
A: Carbonation should be avoided. It can be irritating to the smaller stomach pouch and can potentially fill up and expand the stomach pouch with gas.
Q: Can I drink alcohol?
A: Alcohol has a high number of calories, empty calories. Remember, you only have to consume 3,600 calories to gain 1 pound. It also breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss. Limit beer as it can also be carbonated. Alcoholic drinks can also be irritating to the smaller stomach pouch.
Q: Can I eat anything in moderation?
A: After your stomach has healed from the gastric band surgery, you may eat most foods that don’t cause you discomfort. However, because you can only eat a little it is important to include foods full of important vitamins and nutrients. If you eat foods that contain a lot of sugar and fat, or drink liquids full of “empty” calories, such as milkshakes, the effect of the gastric band may be greatly reduced or canceled. This is because sugary foods and liquids pass quickly from the stomach pouch into the rest of the digestive system. You will need to consume between 60-80 grams of protein per day. So, for each meal you must eat your protein first. Chewing is very important, and the more you chew your food into a virtual liquid, the easier it will be to digest.
Q: Will I suffer from constipation?
A: There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools, which is normal after a decrease in food intake and fiber. This should not cause you severe problems. Drinking more water, or simple over the counter remedies usually help avoid constipation. If difficulties do arise, let us know.
Q: Will I be sick a lot after the operation?
A: Adjustable gastric band surgery helps you limit food intake. If you feel nauseated or sick on a regular basis, it may mean that you are not chewing your food well enough, or that you are not following the diet guidelines properly. However, it could also mean that there may a problem with your band, so you should contact us if this problem persists. Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible. It can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach above the band, which would reduce the success of the operation. In some cases, it may also require another operation. Most issues can be diagnosed or fixed in the office using our fluoroscopy machine and/or removing some fluid from the gastric band.
