Boston Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Caroline Apovian is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Bariatric Surgery.


Q. How much exercise is needed after bariatric surgery?

A. It is important to exercise after surgery to help with weight loss and especially weight maintenance and cardiometabolic fitness. Start slowly and cautiously working out from 10-15 minutes per session and slowly go up to 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per day by walking or biking. If using machines, the elliptical is very easy on the joints as is a stationary bicycle. Resistance exercise training is also important for muscle toning at least twice per week.

Q. How does sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch work?

A. NOTE this is not a procedure that we do

Q. What are some of your financing options?

A. Boston Medical Center takes most insurance carriers.

Q. How Does Bariatric Surgery Affect The Digestive Process?

A. Bariatric surgery usually restricts the size of the gastric pouch and also bypasses some of the small intestine and bypasses the duodenum (roux en y gastric bypass). The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is a band that is placed around the gastric pouch that restricts the size of the pouch and there is no bypass with this procedure.

Q. What are the various types of surgical procedures available?

A. The procedures done in the state of MA are the roux en y gastric bypass and the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band. The gastric sleeve is still considered experiemental. Other procedures which are more aggressive are the biliopancreatic diversion with and without the duodenal switch – these are not performed by surgeons in the State of Massachusetts