Question: How long does the surgery take?
Answer: It takes about 1 hours on average for gastric bypass or vertical sleeve and 45 minutes for LapBand.
Q: How long is the patient in the hospital?
A: Average is about 2 days for gastric bypass or vertical sleeve. LapBand is done as an outpatient procedure.
Q: How long after having surgery is it before you can go back to work?
A: Average is about 2 weeks for gastric bypass or vertical sleeve and 1 week for LapBand.
Q: How is it determined which procedure you should have?
A: This is determined by the patient's preference and the medical recommendation of the surgeon; at this time Dr. Sebastien performs all three surgeries.
Q: How soon after surgery can a woman have children?
A: The woman should wait at least 18 months after the surgery.
Q: What are the age limits for having the surgery?
A: From age 18 and above.
Q: What are the criteria for having the surgery?
A: Generally the person is a candidate for the gastric bypass or vertical sleeve if their Body Mass Index is 40+ or between 35 and 40 with obesity related diseases. For the LapBand you should have a Body Mass Index of 40+ or between 30 and 40 with obesity related diseases.
Q: After losing weight, what can be done about excess skin?
A: The amount of excess skin will vary by individual; surgery to remove excess skin is considered cosmetic surgery and is not considered part of the Bariatric surgery.
Q: How long after the surgery can the person go back to an exercise program?
A: Usually 4 weeks after surgery.
Q: How long does it take from the initial paperwork process until the surgery?
A: This would depend on the person's insurance company and individual medical condition.
Q: How long after the surgery can the person go back to an exercise program?
A: Usually 4 weeks after surgery.
Q: How much pain results from the surgery?
A: There will be minimal pain immediately after the surgery, but this is well-controlled in the hospital with a pain control pump. This device allows you to have the appropriate pain medication, as you require, but will not permit you to use more medication than is safe.
Q: What about the pre-op diet?
A: The patient is put on a special pre-operative diet starting two weeks before the surgery.
