Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest patient for whom weight loss surgery is recommended?
Patients over 60-62 years old, have higher complication rates from surgery, and the benefits, in terms of reduced risk of mortality, are reduced.
Will I have lots of pain?
Every attempt is made to control pain after surgery and to make it possible for you to move about quickly and become active. This helps avoid problems and speeds recovery. Laparoscopic surgery patients experience much less discomfort for fewer days than patients who have open, larger incision surgery. Often several drugs are used together to help manage your post-surgery pain. While you are still in the hospital, a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), which allows you to give yourself a dose of pain medicine on demand, may be used by your physician. Various methods of pain control, depending on your type of surgical procedure, are available. You will be prescribed liquid pain medication for home use after you leave the hospital. Ask your surgeon about other pain management options.
How long do I have to stay in the hospital?
As long as it takes to be self-sufficient. Although it can vary, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band patients go home a few hours after surgery on the same day. The hospital stay (including the day of surgery) can be 1-2 days for the laparoscopic restrictive vertical gastroplasty/gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastric bypass, 2-3 days for the laparoscopic duodenal switch, and longer for open surgery. Complications can lead to much longer hospital stays.
How do I get started?
Our program offers individualized attention in a warm, understanding environment. We will support you before, during and after your procedure with group and individualized counseling. Our nurse can answer your questions and share her own experience with weight loss surgery. Please call (650) 482-6152 to find out if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery, if you have further questions or to get information about our next, monthly informational seminar and support group meeting. To find the nearest, qualified bariatric surgeon, go to the Find a Doctor tool, and select Surgical Weight Loss under Specialty.
