Life After Surgery
Motivation of the patient and the cooperation of family, friends, and associates is important to success. In general, weight loss surgery success is defined as losing 50 percent or more of the patient's excess body weight and maintaining that level for at least five years. Clinical data will vary for each of the different procedures mentioned on this site. Results may also vary by surgeon. Ask your doctor about his or her results for the procedure being recommended for you.
Clinical studies show that, following surgery, most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so until two years after the procedure. Patients may lose thirty to fifty percent of their excess weight in the first six months and up to 77 percent of excess weight as early as one year after surgery. Another study showed that patients can maintain fifty to sixty percent loss of excess weight ten to fourteen years after surgery.
Patients with a higher initial body mass index (BMI) tend to lose more total weight. Patients with lower initial BMI's will lose a greater percentage of their excess weight and will more likely come closer to their ideal body weight. Patients with Type 2 diabetes tend to show less overall excess weight loss than patients without Type 2 diabetes. The surgery has been found to be effective in improving and controlling many obesity-related health conditions. A 2000 study of 500 patients showed that 96 percent of certain associated health conditions studied, such as back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression, were improved or resolved. For example, many patients with Type 2 diabetes, while showing less overall excess weight loss, have demonstrated excellent resolution of their diabetic condition, to the point of having little or no need for continuing medication.
Life After Weight Loss Surgery
Your ability to resume pre-surgery levels of activity will vary according to your physical condition, the nature of the activity and the type of weight loss surgery you had. Many patients return to full pre-surgery levels of activity within six weeks of their procedure. Patients who have had a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure may be able to return to these activities within a few weeks.
We host free monthly support group meetings for patients who have undergone weight loss surgery.
The encouragement and support you receive from our staff and others who have undergone surgery will play an integral role in helping you reach your goals and help you adjust to the many changes you will experience.
Call (409) 839-LOSE for more information about our free monthly support group meetings.
Our registered dietitian and health professionals are right here in Beaumont to help you understand the dietary changes you will face as you prepare for weight loss surgery. Not only will we provide counseling before surgery, we will continue to work with you after surgery to make dietary adjustments as you progress toward your goals.
We partner with Wilton P. Hebert Health and Wellness Center in Beaumont to offer our patients the most advanced and comprehensive fitness program in our area. You will receive a six-month membership at the Wellness Center and five personal training sessions. We want you to have every opportunity to reach your goals, and the fitness staff at the Wellness Center is ready to get you started on your way to a healthier life.
It is strongly advised that women of childbearing age consult with their physician to discuss family planning during the first 16 to 24 months after weight loss surgery. The added demands that pregnancy places on your body after weight loss surgery and the potential for fetal damage make this an important requirement.