WHAT SURGERY WILL ACHIEVE

We consider weight loss of more than 30% of preoperative weight an excellent result. For instance, a person weighing 300 pounds who loses 90 pounds would be considered to have an good weight loss result. We hope and expect about 85% -90% of patients to achieve a good to excellent result. We anticipate that the average patient probably will lose about 30% of the preoperative weight, but there is a great deal of variation with some losing more and some losing less.

Thus, a distinct minority of patients will reach a truly normal weight. In fact, such marked weight loss may not be desirable because of baggy skin and other related problems. Successful weight loss corrects or lessens diabetes in almost every patient, and remedies hypertension in over 65% of patients with high blood pressure.

1. Behavior modification -The ultimate objective is to eat eventually.
2. Nutritional meals each day with no snacks between meals.
3. Calorie intake must be reduced sufficiently to lose weight.
4. The staple line must be given time to heal. This takes about 6-8 weeks. Great care should be taken not to overstuff the stomach during this time.

1. Never drink sweet liquids.
2. Eat no more than 4 times daily.
3. Sit at the table at regular meal times. When eating, do not watch TV, read or do other activities such as needlepoint.
4. Drink beverages 60 minutes before or after a meal. Drink only calorie-free beverages such as water, coffee, unsweetened tea or diet sodas.
5. Slowly add new foods to your diet, one at a time. If they do not agree with you, avoid them for a few weeks before trying the same food again.
6. Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
7. Take a chewable vitamin daily.
8. Do not eat citrus fruits.
9. Crush all large pills.
10. Follow the prescribed diet.
11. If you have excessive, frequent vomiting or you become weak after eating, call our office at
    (205) 975-0471.