Bariatric Surgery: What to Know

Bariatric surgery is an effective tool for weight loss. However, just like any elective procedure, the decision to undergo this should be done after carefully weighing the pros and cons. Dr. Mark Colquitt and the team at Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons in Knoxville stresses that It’s also important to know what your expectations are before, during, and after surgery.

Here are some of the most common questions people have before Bariatric Surgery:

Do I have to go on a diet before the surgery?
Yes. For the insurance company to cover the procedure, they have to see that you’ve tried other means to lose weight. Many require patients to undergo a weight loss program before they qualify them for weight loss surgery.

A special diet is also required before the procedure (usually 2-3 weeks before the surgery). The surgeon places you on this special diet to shrink the liver and reduce fat in the abdomen.

Will I be on a special diet after surgery?
Yes. Before surgery, you will be meeting with different specialists including a nutritionist who will help you understand your nutritional needs after surgery and how you can best meet them.

Your nutritionist will educate you about the importance of including protein in your diet and give you instructions and a timetable for progressing to your new nutrition plan after surgery.

Will I have to take multivitamins after surgery?
Yes, you will have to take multivitamins for life.

Weight loss procedures create changes in your body that affect how much you can eat and how nutrients are absorbed. Multivitamins can help fill in the gaps for your nutritional needs, reducing your risk of vitamin deficiencies.

How soon can I start exercising after surgery?
You will have to talk with your bariatric surgery about this as the physical abilities and overall health of each individual will vary.

In general, you can start exercising about 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery. At the beginning, you would have to take it slow, aiming to slowly increase your range of motion.

When can I get pregnant after bariatric surgery?
You should wait 18 months after surgery before getting pregnant.

After a weight loss procedure, your body goes through a lot of significant and potentially stressful changes. These changes can pose problems for a growing baby. Hence, we advise patients to stabilize their weight before trying to get pregnant.

Is weight loss surgery a ‘cop-out’?
Many people suffering from obesity struggle to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric or weight loss surgery remains to be the most effective tool for these patients to lose weight and keep it off long term.

Want to get started with your weight loss journey? Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons in Knoxville, TN, can help! For you to make a more informed choice, we offer a FREE informational video to help you understand the bariatric procedures and options available.

To register to watch our bariatric educational seminar, please visit our Get Started webpage at: https://www.foothillsweightloss.com/get-started/.

Foothills Weight Loss Surgeons is part of Premier Surgical Bariatrics in Knoxville, Tennessee. Foothills is affiliated with the Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery, part of Covenant Health Bariatric Services.