If you've been thinking about gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, it's a good idea to look for a board certified weight loss surgeon near you. After all, not all surgeons are created the same. As with any medical care procedure, your surgeon should be able to provide you with a comprehensive overview of what is involved in the process before they begin. Here's a short checklist of the services, a board certified weight loss surgeon offers:
During your initial consultation, your weight loss surgeon will gather a few basic information from you. Among these will be your detailed medical history, which will allow him or her to develop a more complete picture of your health. In addition, your doctor will evaluate your medical history and the results of your previous attempts at surgical weight loss. Specifically, he or she will perform a physical examination, perform a diagnostic test called an endoscopy, and order laboratory tests, imaging tests, and blood tests.
During the appointment, the weight loss surgeon will ask you questions about your current health condition, such as whether or not you have ever experienced any complications as a result of your weight loss surgery. He or she will also ask about your diet since your last surgical procedure. You'll also be asked about any medications you're taking, including over-the-counter or prescription medications. It's important that you disclose any medicines you might be taking at the time of your consultation, since your surgeon will need this information to evaluate your surgical risks. Additionally, your surgeon will ask you about any vitamin or supplement use since your last surgical procedure.
Your weight loss surgeon will then decide if you're a good candidate for a surgical procedure called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The procedure involves making a small incision in the upper part of your stomach, or by your belly button, to remove some of your stomach tissue. Your surgeon can perform both types of surgeries, depending on how much excess tissue your stomach contains. In a gastric bypass, the stomach is completely removed; in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass only some of it is removed.
Once you've been deemed a good candidate for one of these surgeries, the weight loss surgeon will schedule you for the surgical procedure. It will usually take several hours, so you'll need to be ready to take a rest during the day. Since the surgery is considered to be an outpatient procedure, you'll be able to return home the same day as your appointment. However, it may take a few days before you feel like eating again - perhaps a week or two - and possibly longer before you can go back to work.
During your surgical procedure, you'll be given specific instructions you need to follow for at least the first three days after the procedure. It may include a prescribed medication, as well as limiting your food intake. Your surgeon may even advise you to take a special diet pill that he or she has prescribed, to help your digestive system to cope with the surgery. Usually, this won't take more than a week, but it's best to check with your doctor to make sure you don't have any complications from it.
During your first week of being treated as a patient at a bariatric clinic, you will want to ask many questions about your health condition and the procedure itself. Ask about the risks and benefits of having this treatment. Do your research, whether online or in person, about the potential side effects. You should also ask questions about the doctor's experience and how long he or she has been performing weight loss procedures. Before you meet with the doctor, he or she should give you written information and ask you to sign a consent form. If there are things that you aren't quite sure about, it's better for you to get it all clarified before the visit.
There are always risks associated with any type of surgery. The same holds true with weight loss surgery patients. However, these risks are usually mild ones that are easily managed. If you experience extreme discomfort, speak to your doctor immediately. He or she can make sure you are taken care of properly.
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