Q: Will I be sick a lot after the operation?

A: If you feel nauseated or sick on a regular basis, it may mean that you are not chewing your food well enough or that you are not following the diet rules properly. Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible as it can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. If continues on a regular basis , contact Dr. Goyal.

Q: How long will it take to recover after surgery?

A: If surgery is performed Laparoscopically, patients typically spend two to three days in the hospital. It takes most patients about a week to return to work and a month to six weeks to resume exercising. In the case of open surgery or if there are complications, recovery may take longer.

Q: How much weight will I lose?

A: Weight-loss results vary from patient to patient, and the amount of weight you lose depends on several things. You need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure, and the pounds won't come off by themselves. It is very important to set achievable weight-loss goals from the beginning. On the average, you can expect to loose approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of your excess body weight in eight months. However, the main goal of weight loss is to prevent, improve, or resolve health problems connected with severe obesity.

Q: Does the LAP-BAND limit any physical activity?

A: The LAP-BAND does not hamper physical activity including aerobics, stretching and strenuous exercise.

Q: How is the band adjusted? How many total adjustments are required?

A: Adjustments are carried out in the office. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes only a few minutes and most patients say it is nearly painless. Occasionally, the port can’t be accessed in the office and an X-ray is taken in the hospital to access the port. On the average, one requires three to four total adjustments done during the first year.

Q: Do I have to be careful with the access port just underneath my skin?

A: There are no restrictions based on the access port. It is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall, and once the incisions have healed it should not cause discomfort or limit any physical exercise. The only sensation you may experience from the port occurs when you go in for adjustments. If you feel persistent discomfort in the port area, talk to your doctor.

Q: Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of weight?

A: That is not always the case. As a rule, plastic surgery will not be considered for at least a year or two after the operation as, sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. Give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.

Q: Is it true that the LAP-BAND seems "tighter" in the morning?

A: This is a fairly common feeling, especially for people with bands that are tight or just after an adjustment. During the day the water content in the body changes and this may cause the band to feel "tighter" some of the time. Some women have also noticed that the LAP-BAND feels tighter during menstruation.

Q: Will I feel hungry or deprived?

A: The surgery makes you eat less and feel full in two ways - first by reducing the capacity of your stomach and second by increasing the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel full. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well, you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that weight loss surgery is a tool to help you change your eating habits.

Q: What if I go out to eat?

A: Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions. You might want to let your host or hostess know in advance that you cannot eat very much.

Q: What about alcohol?

A: Alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss.

Q: Can I eat anything in moderation?

A: After your stomach has healed, you may eat most foods that don't cause you discomfort. However, because you can only eat a little it is important to include foods full of important vitamins and nutrients such as those recommended in the nutrition section of this booklet and as advised by your surgeon and/or dietitian. If you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of "empty" calories, such as milkshakes, the effect of the LAP-BAND or Gastric Bypass may be greatly reduced or even cancelled.

Q: Will I suffer from constipation?

A: There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools, which is normal after a decrease in food intake because you eat less fiber. This should not cause you severe problems. If difficulties do arise, check with your doctor. He or she may suggest you take a mild laxative and drink plenty of water for a while. Your needs will vary, but you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.