| Dr. Jeffrey Genaw is a Member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Bariatric Surgery.
Q. After the surgery, what support will a patient receive in adjusting to new daily habits?
We create multi-disciplinary plans for each patient and offer support groups, post-surgical counseling, nutrition and other support services.
Q. How long is the recovery period?
A. Patients can expect to spend from one to three days in the hospital and 3-4 weeks in recovery at home, depending on the type of surgery.
Q. What is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery?
A. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass -- small stomach pouch is created (1-2 Tablespoons in size) to decrease the amount of food it can hold. The small intestine is reconfigured so that food bypasses the first and a portion of the second segment of the small intestine to limit the calories your body absorbs. By taking in less food and fewer calories, your body is able to lose greater amounts of weight faster than by dieting.
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: This is similar to the conventional Roux-en-Y, but performed through 4 or 5 mini-incisions, so it avoids the need for a large incision and offers reduced pain and recovery time.
Q. What types of bariatric surgeries are there?
A. There are numerous various procedures. We perform adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. We do the majority of our surgeries in a minimally invasive manner (laparoscopically).
Q. Does Bariatric Surgery Typically Lead to Major Weight Loss?
A. Yes, if the patient is completely engaged in the process and follows the rules of the tool. In fact, bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most successful method of helping morbidly obese patients achieve sustainable long term weight loss. Patients must follow the rules.
Q. What is the average level of weight loss of each type of surgery?
A. Patients who have adjustable gastric banding (Lap-BandR or RealizeR) procedures usually lose about 1-2 pounds a week and a total of 40 percent excess body weight. Those who have gastric bypass (RYGB) lose about 60-70 percent of excess body weight. In our program, the average patient loses between 68 to 78 percent of his or her excess body weight after RYGB.
Weight loss for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has been reported at 50-55% of excess body weight.
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