Your surgery is only one step in your health transformation journey. We want you to have excellent results from your surgery and are committed to helping you achieve your goal of better health for a lifetime.
The First Year Post Surgery
The first year after your surgery you will have a series of follow up appointments where we can monitor your progress and offer assistance.
Gastric Bypass
A typical first year follow up schedule for a gastric bypass patient is detailed below:
Two Weeks after Surgery
Two weeks after your surgery, you will be seen in the office for your first postoperative visit. Your wounds will be checked and any questions you may have will be answered. If you are doing well, you will make the transition to the next phase of your diet. You will begin taking your life-long regimen of vitamin and mineral supplements.
Four Weeks
At four weeks, you will visit the office for a routine check-up to assess your dietary intake, determine how well your wounds are healing, obtain anthropometrics (body weight, fat mass, fat free mass, circumference around the abdomen and hips), and ask any questions you may have. You may also be seen by the dietitian if it is advised by the nurse or doctor. You may also see another member of the multidisciplinary team, i.e., mental health provider or spiritual counselor, if warranted.
Three Months
On this visit, you are again seen for the general assessments described above. You will be given a prescription for blood tests to be performed two weeks prior to your six-month postoperative appointment. You may also be seen by the dietitian if it is advised by the nurse or doctor.
Six Months
Prior to this appointment, you must have the six-month series of blood tests at your primary care physician’s office or at your designated laboratory. Because there is a possibility of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and associated complications, such as anemia, you must have the following blood tests: CBC, Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP), Liver Function Tests, and blood tests for measurements of certain vitamins, iron, and thyroid and parathyroid function. Your surgeon may add or delete certain tests as warranted on an individual basis.
If you do not have your labs completed prior to this appointment, you will be given a script for them at this time.
During the six-month visit, anthropometrics will be measured (body mass index, body weight, fat mass, lean body mass, circumferences), and quality of life status and eating behaviors may be determined from standardized questionnaires. Furthermore, you will have dietary assessments and may be seen by nutrition or exercise professionals. Consultations with the mental health provider are optional and available.
One Year
Again, you will have the above mentioned labs conducted at this time. During the yearly visit, you will have a routine follow-up examination, measurement of anthropometrics, assessment of quality of life status and your picture will be taken. Dietary concerns will be addressed, as will optional consultations with the dietitian and psychologist.
Annual Lifetime Office Visits
We need and want to see you annually. We are committed to your health and expect you to be dedicated to lifelong follow-up care. It is important that we help you keep track of your progress.
Gastric Sleeve Resection
Follow-up for a gastric sleeve resection is similar to the gastric bypass follow-up schedule. However, patients are seen in the office on a monthly basis for the first year following surgery, then yearly thereafter.
Adjustable Gastric Band
Typically, adjustable gastric band patients will be seen every two weeks for the first three months. Patients will be seen in the office at two weeks, six weeks, ten weeks and monthly thereafter for the first year for general assessments and consultations with the dietitian and psychologist if warranted. The results of blood tests will be reviewed at the six month and one year visit, and patients are expected to continue yearly follow-up. Patients will also be seen at four weeks, eight weeks and twelve weeks post-operatively for possible band fills.
On-Going Support and Support Groups
Support Groups
We are here to assist you throughout your weight loss journey and encourage you to join our support group. It is helpful to share with others who are experiencing many of your same thoughts and feelings in a caring environment. Visit our calendar of events for detailed information on our support groups. Prospective and current patients and supporters are invited and encouraged to attend.
Online Community
In addition to our monthly support group, we offer an online community, a place where you can find support and knowledge and interact with people who share similar experiences. The online community offers encouragement and companionship in your time of need. Join the Community now.