Life After Bariatric Surgery
The decision to undergo bariatric surgery to control obesity should be considered very carefully and should only be chosen after all other options for weight control are exhausted. These procedures involve major surgery and you must consider the risks and complications as well as the benefits. Your goal should be to lose 100% of your excess weight and keep that weight off for life–and to live a healthier and longer life.
Success after surgery depends on you, the patient. Your participation is required to optimize weight control and maintain nutritional health. Your cooperation in the process will also make it easier for us to schedule your surgery as soon as possible. Your commitment to a new, healthier lifestyle is the key that will enable you to lose your excess weight and keep it off for life!
Patient Responsibilities and Expectations
Successful long-term weight loss depends on your dedication to a new lifestyle. We have already reviewed the behavior modifications that must take place after surgery that are equally important in the first few weeks of recovery. You must also commit to monthly follow up visits for the first year, limit your alcohol intake and eliminate all use of nicotine products. Your rate of weight loss will vary based on your commitment to make life-changing modifications to eating and exercise routine.
In order for you to understand your body after surgery, Scottsdale Healthcare Bariatric Center has developed a Post-Operative Education seminar.
About a week after surgery, you will be required to attend a group session that will reinforce the established guidelines for optimal outcomes. These include:
- Psychological Fundamentals for Long Term Success
- Nutrition After Surgery
You should also refer to the nutrition and fitness guidelines in your patient handbook to ensure your post-operative success. During your post-operative class, we will guide you as a you eat your first meal of solid food and answer any questions you may have about nutrition, fitness and recovery.
Bariatric Surgery Follow-Up Visits
To help ensure your health and your success after surgery, follow up is essential. We will see you about a week after surgery in our office and then monthly for the first year or as long as it takes you to reach your goal weight. After that, we would like to see you once a year as it is very important for long term that keep up to date on nutrition and vitamin levels.
At each appointment we will also check your overall physical condition and weigh and measure you with sophisticated equipment to calculate your body's water, fat and muscle make-up. If you have undergone the Adjustable Gastric Band procedure, we may also adjust the band during this visit.
We also reevaluate any medications you are taking to make sure they are still correct for you and review your plan for taking multi-vitamins including B12 and iron and calcium supplements. In-office visits are a good time to review any questions you have about your recovery, diet or exercise.
Patient Support Groups After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery support groups are a great place for you to share your questions, concerns and experiences. You can also learn from a great deal other patients' success stories and challenges after having bariatric weight loss surgery.
Support groups are confidential and led by psychologists or licensed clinical social workers offering a relaxed atmosphere.
Groups are organized according to length of time post-surgery:
- Preop to 3 Months Post-Surgery, 4 Months and Beyond Post-Surgery, Emotional Support, Education/Guest Speaker (when scheduled) Adjustable Gastric Band Support - First Monday of every month (except holidays) 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Preop to 3 months Post-Surgery, 4 Months and Beyond Post-Surgery, Emotional Support, and Adjustable Gastric Band Support - Third Wednesday of every month (except holidays) 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
The support groups are sponsored by Scottsdale Healthcare and are limited to Scottsdale Healthcare Bariatric Center patients only. Patients scheduled for surgery are encouraged to attend at least one meeting pre-operatively. We also require post-operative patients to attend and participate as part of their follow-up and recovery. Adult family members or primary support people are also encouraged to attend; due to space issues, please limit the number of support people to one.
Bariatric Surgery Support Groups are held at:
Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Campus
Donna and Tom Brady Conference Center
9003 East Shea Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Sorry, no children under age 18 are allowed to attend.
Online Bariatric Surgery Support Group
With the growth as a premier bariatric center with a nationwide reputation, we have drawn many patients from many locations both inside and outside of Arizona. To meet this demand, we have set up an online support group where you can interact with other SHBC patients and staff and to post questions, comments or feedback at your convenience.
Log on to scottsdalebariatricsupport.org
Free Bariatric Seminar
Free Bariatric Surgery Seminar
