Bariatric Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions
At the University of Chicago Medicine, we want you to feel confident that weight loss surgery is right for you.
This Q & A is designed to give you answers to common questions people have about weight loss surgery. If you do not find answers to your questions regarding bariatric surgery, please call us at (773) 834-3524.
- How do I know if I am eligible for weight loss surgery?
- Is weight loss surgery right for everyone?
- What are the risks of weight loss surgery?
- How much weight will I lose? Will the weight loss be quick?
- Can I become pregnant after weight loss surgery?
- Will my insurance cover the procedure?
- If I am interested in weight loss surgery, what is my first step?
- What should I bring to my first appointment with the surgeon?
- Where is my first appointment?
- What happens during the first appointment?
- After the first appointment, how long will it take before I have surgery?
- How long will I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?
- How long will I be off of work after surgery?
- Will I continue seeing my primary care physician after surgery?
- What if I have excess skin?
- Will I have to take vitamins?
- Should I exercise after weight loss surgery?
Q. How do I know if I am eligible for weight loss surgery?
A. The University of Chicago Medicine follows guidelines supported by the National Institutes of Health in order to determine a patient's eligibility for weight loss surgery. Rather than using weight, we use body mass index (BMI) as a criteria for surgery -- excess fat in relation to height. Individuals are candidates for surgery if:
- They have failed previous attempts at weight loss in a medically supervised program
- Their BMI is greater than 40 or between 35 and 40 with major obesity-related medical problems
Before becoming eligible for surgery, you will meet with our surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, and members of our nursing staff for a full evaluation.
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Q. Is weight loss surgery right for everyone?
A. The short answer is no. Surgery is not a solution for everyone. We only determine whether a patient is right for surgery after a complete evaluation and discussion with the patient. Because weight loss surgery is a life-altering procedure, we want to make sure our patients are committed to making the lifestyle changes needed for a successful procedure.
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Q. What are the risks of weight loss surgery?
A. All major surgery comes with risks, and the risks are different for each patient. At the University of Chicago Medicine, our surgeons have better outcomes than most hospitals. Our lifetime mortality rate is only 0.001 percent. During your first appointment, your surgeon will explain your individual risk level.
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Q. How much weight will I lose? Will the weight loss be quick?
A. The amount of weight you lose -- and how fast you lose it -- depends on which weight loss surgery you have. Patients who have adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band®) procedures usually lose weight more slowly the first year than those who have gastric bypass (RYGB) or duodenal switch procedures (DS), but total weight loss is comparable with each procedure. In our program the average patient loses between 68 to 78 percent of his or her excess body weight after RYGB or DS.
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Q. Can I become pregnant after weight loss surgery?
A. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least 18 months after surgery. Please discuss any pregnancy plans with your surgeon during one of your clinic appointments.
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Q. Will my insurance cover the procedure?
A. Insurance coverage depends on your insurance plan. For example, some insurance companies require a patient to be in a physician-supervised weight loss program for at least a year before surgery. Before you come in for your first appointment, please call your insurance company to find out if weight loss surgery is covered. The University of Chicago Medicine has an insurance coordinator who can help you after you are approved for surgery.
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Q. If I am interested in weight loss surgery, what is my first step?
A. If you are interested in weight loss surgery, please call us at (773) 834-3524. We will help you register for an information session where you will learn more about our program and our weight loss surgery options.
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Q. What should I bring to my first appointment with the surgeon?
A. When you come to your first appointment, please bring the following information:
- Social security number
- Insurance card
- Any paperwork needed by your insurance carrier (managed care referral authorization, for example)
- Any past medical records
- A list of your current medications
- A hand written food diary
- A letter from your primary care doctor acknowledging your interest in surgical weight loss
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Q. Where is my first appointment?
A. We offer appointments at two convenient locations. You can see our physicians at the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine on our main medical campus in Hyde Park, or at our office in Matteson, Illinois.
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Q. What happens during the first appointment?
A. Plan to be at your first appointment for about three hours. The program will be presented to you in a group setting. Then, in private, the surgeon or nurse practitioner will perform an extensive history and physical. Depending on scheduling, our dietitian and psychologist may also see you at this appointment.
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Q. After the first appointment, how long will it take before I have surgery?
A. This depends on your insurance provider and the criteria they require, as well as the tests and requirements our team finds necessary.
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Q. How long will I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?
A. Your hospital stay will depend on the type of weight loss surgery you have. Generally, hospital stays are between one and three days.
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Q. How long will I be off of work after surgery?
A. Again, your time off of work will depend on the type of weight loss surgery you have. After Lap-Band® surgery, you can return to work in about one-week. The gastric bypass (RYGB) and duodenal switch (DS) procedures average a two- to four-week recuperation.
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Q. Will I continue seeing my primary care physician after surgery?
A. Yes. Because your medical condition will change following weight loss surgery, it is essential that you are closely monitored by your primary care doctor. We will keep him or her informed on your progress.
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Q. What if I have excess skin?
A. As you start losing weight, you may notice excess skin. The amount of excess skin you experience is due to your weight loss, age, and smoking habits. Sometimes, patients choose to have plastic surgery to have this skin removed. We have a surgeon who works very closely with our patients regarding plastic surgery.
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Q. Will I have to take vitamins?
A. Yes, but the number depends on your weight loss procedure. The gastric bypass (RYGB) and duodenal switch (DS) procedures require a lifetime of vitamin supplementation -- usually three supplements daily. The Lap-Band® requires a multivitamin everyday.
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Q. Should I exercise after weight loss surgery?
A. Regular exercise is extremely important for maintaining your weight loss. Your bariatric surgery team will help you with the types of exercise you should be doing, and how soon after surgery you should start doing them.
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