Our Weight Loss Surgery Program
WeightWise emphasizes a truly multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgery. Delivering a zero percent death rate and excellent long term outcomes results directly from our comprehensive programmatic approach. This goes way beyond “good surgery.” We feel our holistic approach gives our patients the best chance of success.
The four components for the highest level of long-term success with our weight loss program:
1
Patient Education
Providing important knowledge about how bariatric surgery works and what it takes to not only lose your weight but also keep it off after surgery. We expect each patient to become involved as an integral part of the weight loss team.
2
Medical Evaluation
This will allow the team to identify medical or psychological conditions that need to be optimized prior to your operation. This also ensures maximum patient safety at the time of your surgery.
3
State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery
Providing the least post-operative pain and the fastest patient recovery through state-of-the-art surgical techniques.
4
Long-Term Follow-Up and Support
Supplements, resources, and support groups enable patients to achieve their maximum long-term success.
Patient Education
WeightWise provides important knowledge about how bariatric surgery works and what it takes to not only lose your weight but also keep it off after surgery. We expect each patient to become involved as an integral part of the weight loss team. These informational sessions with our bariatric surgeons will let you know what is expected to ensure success.
Losing up to 80 percent of your unwanted weight – and keeping it off – is a lifelong commitment. A change in diet, increased physical activity, and a complete lifestyle doesn’t just last for a few months after the procedure. This will be your life now and we want your weight loss journey to be just as successful as you do.
To do that, you need to be able to make the changes necessary. Surgery provides your body the tool needed for effective weight loss. But like any tool, it is how you use it that will determine how much weight you will lose. While surgery certainly plays a part in your weight loss plan, it’s what you are willing to do afterward that will determine how much weight you’ll lose.
Medical Evaluation
WeightWise realizes there are situations where weight gain can be attributed to more than eating too much or not getting enough physical activity. Perhaps an injury or long-lasting illness prevents you from moving as freely as you once did. Maybe there’s a family history of obesity or psychological obstacles that stand in your way.
Our bariatric program medical evaluation is designed to get to the root of these problems and to learn more about your physical limitations. This will allow the team to identify medical or psychological conditions that need to be optimized prior to your operation. This also ensures maximum patient safety at the time of your surgery.
This information will also be used for postoperative food and exercise plans. During these initial consultations, it’s vitally important that we have all of the information we need to make appropriate decisions for your health. Even an old sports injury is important as we map out the following months and years of your new lifestyle.
State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery
For many of our patients, bariatric surgery itself is the simplest part of our program. The vast majority of our surgical options, whether it’s a duodenal switch, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve, are performed laparoscopically. Instead of one large incision, also known as “open” surgery, we use several smaller incisions.
This method of surgery provides the least post-operative pain and the fastest patient recovery, allowing you to return to normal day-to-day activities that much faster. Although we’ll still want to monitor you overnight, you should be able to return home, go grocery shopping, and even go back to work if it’s appropriate.
Post Surgery, Long-Term Follow-Up, and Support
It sounds cliched, but now you are ready to begin your new life. You will begin to put into practice the diet and exercise plans that were discussed during those earlier conversations. Supplements, resources, and support groups enable patients to achieve their maximum long-term success.
The first two weeks of the post-op diet will consist of nothing but liquid and protein supplements that will keep you hydrated and feed your body. At this time, hormones in your body will begin to adapt to the changes, making you feel fuller faster and reducing those hunger “cues” that lead to in-between meals and midnight snacks.
As the weeks and months go by, you’ll continue to add different nutrients, lean proteins, and eventually a wide variety of options. It’s vital that you adhere to the plan laid out by one of WeightWise’s dietitians. Deviations could lead to discomfort or even pain. Remember: your stomach is only about 20 percent of its original size.
You will also be taking the first steps to a new active lifestyle as well. Focusing on flexibility and cardiovascular health at first, our exercise physiologists will devise a workout plan with attainable goals for the following weeks and months. As the weight comes off and you become more fit, your routines will reflect those changes.
Our weight loss surgery program seems daunting, doesn’t it? That’s why our program offers you a patient advocate as part of our bariatric surgery program. Your advocate will be part cheerleader, sympathetic ear, and library of information. Any questions you have about the surgery, insurance, or post-op plans will be handled by your advocate.
It’s important to have the support you need when making such a drastic lifestyle change. While friends or family may whisper about the “easy way out,” going through our program may be one of the most difficult things you’ll endure in your life. WeightWise is a comprehensive center for bariatric surgery, allowing us to help with your journey every step of the way.
But as the days go by, and you begin to feel and see real changes in your body and mind, you’ll realize just how much you’ll enjoy your new lifestyle. For more information about our program or center for bariatric surgery, please watch our FREE online seminar. If you have any other questions or want to schedule a consultation, please reach out to us. We’re here for you.