Am I a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery?
This surgery is recommended to patients with a body mass index of 40 or higher, that are severely overweight or have other health conditions. We recommend you to schedule an appointment with a certified doctor for an evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for this surgery.
How do I prepare for surgery?
After an evaluation, the bariatric surgeon will determinate which steps you will have to follow before surgery. The most common specifications include stop smoking, lose some weight, and avoid certain medications. You will not be able to eat anything for about 12 hours before surgery.
What is the difference between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass?
Both procedures shrink the stomach size reducing the amount of food and calories consumed. However, with the gastric sleeve, the stomach isn’t bypassed to the intestine. The doctor will help you to determine which surgery is better for your needs.
How fast will I lose weight?
Patients generally lose 60% to 70% of the excess weight over 18 months. During the first weeks, you could lose 10 to 20 pounds and the next 6 months 50% of the excess weight. Following a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to get better results.
Do I need a special diet?
To allow the stomach to heal properly after the surgery, the first weeks the diet consists of a full liquid diet, then slowly change to soft food and finally to regular food in small portions. Consider that the stomach will hold less amount of food than it used to before surgery.
Is it possible to regain weight after surgery?
Weight loss surgeries require a change of lifestyle, followed by a healthy diet and regular exercise. Keep in mind that you could regain all the lost weight if you maintain your old lifestyle habits.