Your ability to resume pre-surgery
levels of activity will vary
according to your physical condition,
the nature of the activity and
the type of weight loss surgery
you had. Many patients return
to full pre-surgery levels of
activity within six weeks of
their procedure. Patients who
have had a minimally invasive
laparoscopic procedure may be
able to return to these activities
within a few weeks.
It is strongly advised that women
of childbearing age use the most
effective forms of birth control
during the first 16 to 24 months
after weight loss surgery. The
added demands pregnancy places
on your body and the potential
for fetal damage make this a
most important requirement.
Although the short-term effects
of weight loss surgery are well
understood, there are still questions
to be answered about the long-term
effects on nutrition and body
systems. Nutritional deficiencies
that occur over the course of
many years will need to be studied.
Over time, you will need periodic
checks for anemia (low red blood
cell count) and Vitamin B12,
folate and iron levels. Follow-up
tests will initially be conducted
every six months for five years.
To help patients achieve their
goals and deal with the changes
surgery and weight loss can bring,
the bariatric surgery program
at Monmouth Medical Center provides
a five-year follow-up
plan that includes support groups,
dieticians and other forms of
continuing education.
The widespread use of support
groups has provided weight loss
surgery patients an excellent
opportunity to discuss their
various personal and professional
issues. Most learn, for example,
that weight loss surgery will
not immediately resolve existing
emotional issues or heal the
years of damage that morbid obesity
might have inflicted on their
emotional well-being. At Monmouth
Medical Center we have a support
group in place to assist you
with short-term and long-term
questions and needs (calendar
of support groups meetings).
Ongoing post-surgical support
helps produce the greatest level
of success for their patients.
The
Importance of Support
The changes in your diet and lifestyle
after surgery will last a lifetime.
And you'll have a greater chance
of long-term success if you surround
yourself with people who understand
and support your goals.
Help
your friends and family members
understand why you've chosen a
surgical solution. Many people
are under the impression that
weight loss surgery is an experimental
treatment rather than one with
more than 40 years of history.
Direct them to this web site or
others. It's important that they
understand that morbid obesity
is a disease and that diets don't
work for you.
People
who are morbidly obese often report
that their spouses, or others
close to them, seem to discourage
weight loss. These people see
your weight as part of your identity.
Understand that this is a fear
of change. Discuss your reasons
for having surgery. They need
to know that your health is at
stake and you will be counting
on them to help you during and
after surgery.
