Returning To Work
Your timetable for going back to work will depend on the progress of your recovery, your physical condition, the kind of work you do and the type of weight loss surgery you had.
Some patients return to the job within two to six weeks. With certain types of minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, however, you could be back at work in seven to 10 days. Exercise
Appropriate physical activity is critical to the recovery process. After bariatric surgery, you will lose weight because the amount of calories you can consume is far less than what the body needs to operate. So the body will respond by burning fat or unused tissues – muscles specifically.
Daily exercise sends a message to your body that you're using those muscles and thus forces it to burn fat. It will also preserve your muscle mass and help get your strength back.
Your exercise routine will likely start right after surgery – often the same day. The doctor will have you on your feet and walking; then you'll try to walk a little farther with each passing day.
As medical restrictions are lifted, you should work toward getting about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. This can include a one-mile walk, bike riding or stair-climbing. Then, if your doctor approves, you can add weight training three to four days a week. Sex, Birth Control, and Pregnancy
If you are a woman of child-bearing age, we recommend strongly that you use at least two forms of birth control in the 18 to 24 months after surgery. At that point, your body should be stable enough to carry a fully nourished fetus. But if you're planning to become pregnant, please consult your physician.
Patients can return to routine sexual intimacy when the healing process and declining discomfort allow. It is not uncommon, however, to experience some reduced desire for about six weeks. Long-Term Follow-Up
Maintaining the proper body weight is more than just a function of bariatric surgery. It is a lifelong commitment that goes beyond adjusting your lifestyle and sticking to a healthy diet.
While surgery has become a preferred option for obese and morbidly obese individuals, there are still some uncertainties about the long-term impact of the procedures on nutrition and body systems.
Patients will need ongoing nutritional counseling and periodic checks for anemia (low red blood cell count), B12, folate and iron levels. Initially, these tests will be conducted every three to six months or as needed. After that, they will be taken every year or two. Support Groups
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center has established support groups that allow weight loss patients to share their experiences with others who understand and support their goals.
These groups will help you deal with potential concerns and questions you may have, including matters related to self-image and your pre-surgery behavior patterns.
Just as important, they help manage expectations. For example, you'll see that for all of its benefits, weight loss surgery does not provide instant relief from existing emotional problems or offer immediate solutions to the problems that stem from a lifetime of obesity.
We believe that participating in these groups plays an important role in your recovery. More than that, it can also contribute significantly to your long-term success in maintaining a healthy weight.
Cosmetic Surgery
Bariatric procedures should not be considered cosmetic surgery. However, in many cases cosmetic surgery has become a viable option for removing excess skin after the weight loss operation.
Cosmetic surgery is often necessary because the skin of a morbidly obese patient has been stretched so much that it has no elasticity left. This is especially true among older patients, whose skin does not retract on its own.
Cosmetic procedures are best undertaken when you've lost most of your weight – generally a year or so after surgery. The timing is critical: a cosmetic procedure performed too soon often produces less than satisfactory results and requires further operations.
It is also important to note that your insurance typically will not pay for cosmetic surgery. However, in a small number of cases where the excess skin in some way affects the patient's health or ability to function normally, insurers have covered the procedure.
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Your life will be different after weight-loss surgery.
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center’s bariatric team has developed a program designed to anticipate – and address – virtually every issue you are likely to face in the months and years after surgery. It includes:
