Understanding Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is available at Bayhealth for adults age 18 or older, who, generally speaking, are approved by consensus of our multidisciplinary team and typically:

• Are healthy enough to undergo major surgery

• Do not have drug or alcohol problems

• Do not have uncontrolled psychological conditions

• Do not use tobacco

• Meet BMI criteria: the newest guidelines recommend a *BMI of 30 with health conditions or BMI of 35, but this criteria may vary with insurance requirements. 

• Have failed at other attempts at medical weight loss

• Understand the surgery and its risks

The decision to undergo bariatric surgery should be made after all other weight loss attempts have been exhausted. Most important, Bayhealth Bariatric Program patients must be dedicated to the lifestyle changes and lifetime follow-up necessary to get the optimal outcomes from their weight loss surgery.

*Eligibility and plan specific benefits verified by contacting insurance provider directly.

There are a series of clearances that will need to happen prior to surgery that are dictated by your insurance company. If you do not have coverage, we offer financing.

Depending upon your insurance plan, there may be exclusions for weight loss treatments, including surgery. Other plans will have certain requirements before surgery is covered, such as a medically supervised diet history and/or psychological evaluation. Every plan’s requirements are different. You should call your insurance company to learn more. Obtain a printed copy of the insurance company’s requirements, and document all contacts you have with the insurance company.

The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch and sleeve gastrectomy procedures often require a hospital stay of 1-2 days. If you undergo revisional surgery, the typical hospital stay is similar, but it may vary depending upon the specifics.

If the work you perform is sedentary, you can probably return to work in 2 weeks. If your work requires physical labor, you can probably return in 3-6 weeks. You should be able to return to normal activities in 1-2 weeks, compared with four to six weeks for traditional surgery.

You may experience hair loss or hair thinning in the 3-5 months following your surgery. However, this is usually a temporary condition.

The amount of food you will be able to eat will change significantly. Immediately after surgery, food intake is limited to 1-2 fluid ounces per meal to allow the stomach to heal properly. You will be provided with clear instructions for your diet.

You will need to take vitamins for the rest of your life. Immediately after surgery you will begin taking a chewable multi-vitamin daily, as well as vitamin B-12 and calcium citrate.

Weight loss results vary with each individual.

The stomach pouch is designed to hold approximately one ounce. In the first few months, it is rather stiff due to natural surgical inflammation. Around 12-18 months after surgery, the stomach pouch expands a bit as the inflammation subsides. Most patients end up with a meal capacity of about 4-6 fluid ounces.

Many medications (for blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) may be stopped at some point after bariatric surgery. Most medications will continue to work effectively after surgery.