Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a variety of procedures performed on patients who are suffering from morbid obesity. The three most commonly performed procedures are;
Gastric Bypass – often referred to as the “gold standard” in weight loss surgery, involves rerouting the small intestine to a small stomach pouch.
Sleeve Gastrectomy – has quickly become the most popular surgical procedure, this involves removing a portion of the stomach, making the available space for food much smaller.
Gastric Band – The band involves wrapping a tube around the top portion of the stomach, to create a small pouch, the small pouch helps restrict the amount of food entering the rest of the stomach, this causes the patient to feel fuller for longer periods of time. This requires a foreign body to be wrapped around the stomach, but also an additional foreign body (the port) be attached to the patients stomach.
Bariatric surgery is mostly performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery is described as “minimally invasive” or “virtually scarless” which is a great improvement, when compared to traditional open surgery.

How do I qualify for weight loss surgery?

Patients who qualify for surgery have a body mass index (bmi) of 35 or above with comorbidities such as hypertension, sleep apnea and/or diabetes or a bmi of 40 without one of these comorbidities.

Why do I have to attend an informational seminar?

Every new patient must attend one of our free informational seminars in order to gain a better understanding of each of the four weight loss procedures Dr Ahmad offers. This also helps patients consider their options and point them in the direction of which procedure might be right for them.

How long from the time I am seen in the office until the time I have surgery?

This often depends on the bariatric coverage your insurance plan offers, as some plans do require waiting periods or a certain amount of recorded weights. Our insurance verification team will look into your bariatric coverage prior to your first consultation and make you aware of any restrictions your plan may have and an estimated date for surgery will be discussed at your first consultation.

Who decides which procedure I am getting?

The decision regarding choice of procedure is crucial to your success. It is dependent on many factors, such as your risk profile, eating habits, and lifestyle. We believe that this a mutual decision between you and our bariatric team.

How long will my hospital stay be?

Depending upon your surgery and your post-surgical state, patients who opt for the lap band, band with plication and sleeve gastrectomy typically have a 1 night hospital stay, while those who opt for the gastric bypass generally have a 2 night hospital stay.

How long after surgery can I return to work?

Recovery time differs from patient to patient. Most patients can return to a sedentary job within 7-10 days with no heavy lifting over 15 lbs for the next 4-6 weeks.

Will I need to take nutritional supplements after surgery?

Vitamins and nutritional supplements are recommended after a weight loss procedure to help prevent any nutritional deficiencies. Our registered dieticians will recommend which supplements are right for you.
Can I get pregnant after weight loss surgery?
It is safer for someone to be pregnant with a band or bypass than it is to be morbidly obese and pregnant. We recommend waiting a year-and-a-half before getting pregnant with either procedure, however, the band can be an effective tool to control weight gain around the time of pregnancy.

Is it possible to regain weight after surgery?

Patients will learn that maintaining one’s weight loss depends on whether they maintain a healthy lifestyle. Having the surgery is only part of the journey. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper diet, exercise, and support is imperative. Early modification of one’s diet will help sustain changes long term and our doctors and nutritionists are here to help you along the way.