FAQS

General Questions

What's the difference between a 1:1 and seminar?

A 1 to 1 consultation gives you the chance to talk quietly and privately to a member of the Team about yourself, your weight issues and the surgical options available to you. A seminar or open event is less personal but allows you to find out information on the different surgical options and meet people who may have had weight loss surgery and those wishing to find out more about it without obligation.

What does COE mean?

Are there any bodies for independent advice?

Surgery Questions

With a gastric balloon, is it best to drink with my meals or separately?

The current recommendation is to keep them separate. About 30 mins either side of eating.

Will it hurt?

Will I feel hungry immediately post-surgery?

Will a gastric band adjustment hurt?

Why do I need to follow a pureed diet post-surgery?

When can I start taking normal tablets/capsules after my operation?

After 6 weeks when you are back on solid foods and your stomach swelling has subsided. Gastric band patients may experience some problems with large tablets as their band restriction increases and I recommend that patients keep some soluble painkillers (or melts) to use if they have a headache etc because the stomach muscles constrict when you are stressed, and make it harder to get a tablet down. Check with a member of the Bariatric team or at your Pre-Assessment appointment if you take meds regularly. Same applies with multivitamins. Chewable or liquid ones are preferable for first 3 months. I would say 3 months for all meds. Antibiotics can seriously upset a bypass patient because of the altered digestive pathway. Because of the delayed emptying of the gastric pouch, bypass patients should not take NSAIDs orally post op because there is an increased risk of ulceration at the bypass anastomoses. Rectally is a good alternative. Band patients need to take a PPI (Zoton Fast tabs which dissolve in the mouth are recommended) for 1 month post-op and bypass patients for 3 months. This reduces the amount of stomach acid that you produce, whilst the weight loss surgery is healing and the swelling reducing.

When can I start taking normal exercise after my operation?

What types of foods are going to be difficult to eat post surgery?

What food will I be able to eat afterwards?

What are the side effects of surgery?

What are the health benefits to having a weight loss procedure?

Once I've had the operation, how quickly can I resume a normal physical life?

Exercise is always a good part of any weight loss programme whether it is a brisk walk or regular gym attendance. Following Bypass surgery we advise waiting until your first follow up appointment at 6 weeks before resuming physical exercise, although you should not wrap yourself in cotton wool. Following Band surgery approximately 4 weeks post-operatively. For both types of surgery you should always ensure the wound sites are completely healed. The same regime applies to sexual relations.

Disclaimer: Please note that weight loss surgery results and benefits are unique to each individual and in such The Bariatric Group cannot guarantee specific weight loss goals as results for each surgery can vary. If you have any questions or would like to know more about weight loss surgery please contact our expert team.

If I suffer from hypos post bypass what would you advise me to eat to keep my blood sugars the normal range and avoid dumping syndrome?

How will I feel physically once I have had my band/bypass/balloon and what possible side effects will there be?