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Frequently Asked Questions

Is surgical weight loss right for me?

Determining if surgical weight loss is right for you may depend on multiple factors. As a general rule, individuals with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35 or greater with risk factors such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or type II diabetes are great candidates for surgical weight loss. Individuals with a BMI of 40 or greater, with or without these risk factors, will also likely qualify for the procedure.

What health benefits can I expect from surgical weight loss?

Surgical weight loss can help improve your health, improve the disease-related health conditions (often referred to as comorbidities) that are associated with obesity, and help you feel better about yourself. Approximately 50% of people that have surgical weight loss have complete resolution of their type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obstructive sleep apnea. About 90% of patients see significant improvements in those same conditions. Surgical weight loss is life-changing and prepares you for a healthy lifestyle.

Does surgical weight loss work? Will it work for me?

Bariatric surgery is a very successful procedure. While it doesn’t work for every patient, about 80% of the patients will lose about 80% of their excess body weight with this operation. Individuals that have the most success from the procedure are those that are motivated, have self-discipline and are able to follow dietary plans, and look to others for moral support.

What should I expect after my procedure?

Generally, after your procedure, you will have an overnight stay at St. Claire Regional Medical Center. If there are no complications, you will be released to continue your recovery at home. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled three days after surgery to verify that you are healing appropriately and to address any concerns you may have. If all is well, a second follow-up appointment will be scheduled one-month post-surgery. Thereafter, yearly appointments will continue.

When can I return to work and my normal activities?

While this answer is different for everyone, most patients are back to their normal activities within a month. Patients that have jobs that are sedentary should be able to return to work within a week or two. Those with jobs that are a little more strenuous (lifting 10 lbs. or more) will likely need more time to recover before returning to work.

What type of support is available for me?

In addition to the support you will receive from your care team, we facilitate a Facebook support group that allows you to network with others in all stages of their weight loss journey. You can go to this group to ask questions, share inspirational stories, talk about common concerns, share recipes and exercises, form exercise groups, and more. To request to join this group, search “St. Claire Surgical Weight Loss” on Facebook.