FAQs

Bariatric Surgery

HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE?

Most surgeries are under an hour depending on what is found during surgery. Our goal is to bring you safely through surgery and we will take whatever time is needed to that end.



HOW LONG WILL I BE IN THE HOSPITAL?

Most patients are in the hospital one night



WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK?

Most people return to work in one week, though recovery time needed varies with each patient.



HOW MUCH WEIGHT WILL I LOSE?

Patients lose most of their excess weight. The size of the bypass is adjusted by the surgeon according to the patient’s weight, height and build.



WHAT WILL I EAT AFTER SURGERY?

For the first two weeks you will have liquids. For the second two weeks you will have soft or runny foods.You will then begin a regular healthy diet. You will eat the same as other people eat but much



WHEN CAN I START EXERCISING?

We suggest that you return to your regular exercise schedule slowly. Although there is no reason you cannot immediately exercise, we suggest that you begin with 25% of what you would normally exercise and then increase until in a short time you are exercising as much as you like.



WILL I BE HUNGRY?

One of the reasons weight loss surgery is so successful is because it helps control background hunger, which is typical of dieting. Patients no longer crave food and sometimes, if you can believe it, forget to eat! A hormone related to hunger, Ghrelin, is decreased after weight loss surgery.



WILL I LOSE ANY HAIR?

Hair thinning is experienced by some patients. The body is going through a massive change. You will not go bald. But you will have more hair in your brush and on the shower drain. Some feel that zinc and biotin will help and that protein intake also helps. But some patients will experience a temporary thinning no matter what they do. It will grow back and often the patient is the only one who even notices.



AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, CAN I EAT ANYTHING AND STILL LOSE WEIGHT?

No! Weight loss surgery is a tool. It is not magic. You still have to work at losing weight after surgery. The only difference is that it will be easier and more successful than dieting alone. Weight loss surgery makes you feel full on a small amount of food and assists with appetite control. Adding exercise to the caloric restriction of surgery will result in more weight loss.



AFTER WEIGHT OSS SURGERY, CAN I EAT ANYTHING AND STILL LOSE WEIGHT?

No! Weight loss surgery is a tool. It is not magic. You still have to work at losing weight after surgery. The only difference is that it will be easier and more successful than dieting alone. Weight loss surgery makes you feel full on a small amount of food and assists with appetite control. Adding exercise to the caloric restriction of surgery will result in more weight loss



Colon & Rectal Surgery

WHAT IS A COLON AND RECTAL SURGEON?

A Colon and Rectal Surgeon is a general surgeon who has completed an additional one-year of training in Colon and Rectal Surgery. The fellowship is followed by a certification examination. The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery then certifies the surgeon to perform complex Colon & Rectal operations.



WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY SURGERY PERFORMED BY A BOARD CERTIFIED COLON AND RECTAL SURGEON?

By virtue of their specialization Colon and Rectal Surgeons achieve lower complication rates and lower mortality rates than general surgeons. In the past few years, more than 40 articles were published in the medical literature measuring quality of surgical care based on survival, complication rate, and use of colostomy, length of hospitalization, functional outcome and cost. In virtually every article and by every measure, surgeons with more specific training and greater operative volumes perform better.



WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF BOARD CERTIFICATION?

In addition to completing five years of general surgery training Colon & Rectal surgeons have also completed an additional year of specialized training approved by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. The training is followed by a certifying examination leading to certification in the field of colon and rectal surgery. The certificate is evidence that the physician’s qualifications for specialty practice are recognized by his or her peers.
 Only surgeons certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery are qualified to call themselves colon and rectal surgeons and treat complex colon and rectal problems.



HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU PERFORMED THIS SURGERY?

The average U.S. general surgeon does only 8 colon resections and only 3 hemorrhoidectomies per year. Colorectal surgeons on the other hand perform a large number of these cases on a regular basis. Studies have shown that surgeons with a large experience have superior results. You have the right to ask about the surgeon’s volume and clinical results.



WHAT COMPLICATIONS MIGHT OCCUR IF I DECIDE TO HAVE SURGERY?

Complications can occasionally occur after any surgery. Fortunately these are far and few. Different operations have different complications. Colon & Rectal surgeons, by virtue of their specialization, have lower complication rates. Please ask your surgeon about complications related to your specific surgery and what his rates of complications are.



ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY? CAN MEDICAL TREATMENT BE DONE?

Some conditions can be treated by medicines or alterations in life style. Please ask your doctor during your visit if your particular condition can be treated non-surgically.



HOW IS A COLON & RECTAL SURGEON DIFFERENT FROM A GASTROENTEROLOGIST?

A Colon & Rectal Surgeon is a board certified General Surgeon who then goes on to do specialty training in Colon & Rectal Surgery. He or she must then become board certified in Colon & Rectal Surgery. A Gastroenterologist is an Internist who then goes on to do specialty training in Gastroenterology. One is a subspecialty of Surgery and the other a subspecialty of Internal Medicine. We both do colonoscopies but only colon & rectal surgeons do surgeries.



HOW IS A COLON & RECTAL SURGEON DIFFERENT FROM A GENERAL SURGEON?

In addition to being board certified in General Surgery, a Colon & Rectal Surgeon is board certified in Colon & Rectal Surgery. A Colon & Rectal Surgeon specializes in treating colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, colitis, rectal prolapse, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas and fecal incontinence.