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Bariatric Surgery FAQs
FAQS ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY AT CJ BARIATRICS
General Information about Weight Loss Surgery
Which weight loss surgery procedure is right for me?
After a thorough medical evaluation, we will discuss the surgical weight loss solutions that may be optimal for you. Since bariatric surgery is a life-altering journey, it is necessary to make sure that each patient is physically and mentally prepared to make the lifestyle changes needed for a successful long-term outcome.
How is eligibility determined?
The National Institutes of Health supports these guidelines for determining whether or not a patient is eligible for weight loss surgery:
The patient must be between the ages of 18 and 65
BMI (body mass index) of greater than 40 or between 35 and 40 with major obesity-related medical conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain).
The patient must have attempted and failed previous non-surgical efforts to lose weight
The patient must have realistic expectations of the surgery and be committed to continued management of their weight
Does insurance cover the cost of the procedure?
At Central Jersey Bariatrics, we accept medical insurance from many different carriers but coverage varies between plans. Contact your provider to find out whether or not weight loss surgery is a benefit on your plan. Our staff will be happy to assist you in this effort. Please call (732) 761-1740. We also accept credit card payment.
Can the weight I lose be regained?
Yes. If the patient does not comply with diet and exercise recommendations given by their health care provider, long-term weight loss is unlikely. Bariatric surgery is only the first step to losing weight.
Being overweight can have serious health consequences. At Central Jersey Bariatrics, our staff of bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, dieticians and weight loss support professionals is committed to helping you get back on the road to good health and helping you achieve a healthier life. If you are interested in learning more about bariatric weight loss surgery, we invite you to start by attending one of our Information Seminars or contact us at (732) 761-1740.
What types of weight loss surgeries do you offer?
Drs. Adeyeri and Sowemimo have performed hundreds of successful bariatric procedures. They are both board certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons. They specialize in gastric bypass, lap-band, gastric sleeve and revisional bariatric surgical procedures.
Gastric Bypass
What are the advantages of the gastric bypass?
The main advantage is faster resolution of weight related medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. This is mainly because weight loss is faster. Some studies also show patients who have a BMI over 50 will lose more weight with a gastric bypass than a LAP-BAND. The disadvantage is that a bypass is a more complicated procedure and carries with it more risk than a LAP-BAND.
I have a Lap Band and I haven't lost much weight, can I have a bypass now?
The success rate of gastric bypass after a failed LAP-BAND is high. You may be a candidate for this, but first we would want to make sure that your band is properly adjusted and you are eating the right things.
How long is the operation?
A laparoscopic gastric bypass takes about two to three hours to perform.
How long is the hospital stay?
The hospital stay is typically about 48 hours.
How long will I be off work?
Return to work is usually about 2 weeks.
Gastric Sleeve
What is the sleeve and why is it becoming so popular?
Gastric sleeve resection is one of the newest and safest types of bariatric surgery. The procedure is performed by removing approximately 85% of the stomach, resulting in a tube-like appearance resembling a "sleeve." The reduced stomach (the remaining 15%) is then stapled closed.
What are the benefits of the sleeve?
Proven ‘more effective' (patients lose more weight overall at a faster rate) than gastric band.
- Does not require implantation of a medical device (like the band).
- Band device is permanently implanted and requires lifelong doctor visits for ‘fill' adjustment.
- Sleeve requires only short-term post-op office visits.
- May be used as a precursive surgery for very morbidly obese patients before gastric bypass.
ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING
Is the band safe during pregnancy?
Yes, the band is perfectly safe. It can be "temporarily" reversed by simply emptying the saline out. We can usually control how much weight you gain during a pregnancy by gradually unfilling it.
Is the gastric band reversible?
Yes, the band is reversible, but it should NOT be thought of as a temporary fix! We want patients to make a commitment to work with their band forever.
How much weight should I expect to lose?
We set a target for band patients to lose 75% of their excess body weight and we have had many patients achieve this goal. Most studies show about 60% excess body weight in the long-run.
How many band adjustments will I need?
Most patients need six to eight adjustments in the first year after surgery.
Will I continue to get adjustments forever?
The band is permeable like a helium balloon, so it will harmlessly leak a very small amount of saline at a very low rate. Most patients need a yearly adjustment for the rest of their lives.
Why can't I have my band taken out when I lose all my weight?
Theoretically you could, however patients who have their bands taken out often gain weight, as they lose the appetite and portion control that comes with being banded.
Will I have to exercise?
Yes! The band is a very powerful tool to help you lose weight, but it is not magic. Exercise is mandatory if you want to be successful.
Can I get a low profile port?
Yes. We always try to use low profile ports unless we think it will be too difficult to access in higher BMI patients.
Will I still have excess skin if I lose weight more slowly?
Losing weight in a slower, more controlled manner does not always eliminate problems with excess skin. There are many factors involved here??how much weight you lose, how old you are, etc. Whether you end up having excess skin or not, this is a matter that can be managed down the road.
Revisional Bariatric Surgery
What happens if you have undergone a weight loss surgical procedure and did not achieve the desired results?
When performed improperly or when the patient is not counseled on post-surgery nutrition, those who have undergone bariatric procedures could experience complications and/or lack of desired significant weight loss. There are several options for those who have undergone a previous bariatric procedure and require revisional bariatric surgery to finally achieve the desired weight loss goal.
An adjustable gastric band can be removed and converted to a gastric bypass procedure. This can help patients who have complications like severe heartburn or have been unable to lose significant weight since the original surgery was performed. This can be achieved laparoscopically.
The sleeve is another less-invasive revisional technique. In this procedure, part of the stomach is removed altogether. You will experience reduced hunger and better general health, thanks to a decreased caloric intake and better nutritional choices.
A previous gastric bypass can be redone if the pouch has stretched out from bad eating habits or if there is a complication such as an ulcer causing pain and/or bleeding. If your bariatric specialist has advanced expertise, this procedure may be performed laparoscopically.
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