We provide patients the care that they need and deserve. Our highest priority is patient safety and wellbeing.

All of the bariatric procedures are performed using laparoscopic techniques and very small incisions. On rare occasions a procedure may have to be converted to an open procedure with a traditional incision if laparoscopy is not feasible or is not safe.

It often depends on your insurance company and what is required to obtain approval. It may range from 3 months to 1 year. Most people should be able to have their bariatric surgery done in approximately 6 months.

During your initial consultation, when you meet with the surgeon, both of you will decide together on the bariatric procedure to be done. The decision will be based on your medical history, your current health status and your goals for pursuing surgery.

Most insurance companies provide coverage for bariatric surgery. However, it is important to find out if your specific plan provides coverage for you and what are the criteria for coverage?

Yes. The risks of complications in bariatric surgery are much greater for patients who are active smokers. Patients who are seriously considering bariatric surgery should aim to give up smoking as part of a healthier lifestyle and do so before starting on the pathway to surgery.

Your hospital stay will depend on the procedure you have. Patients undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass are usually in the hospital for 2 nights. Patients undergoing the adjustable gastric band are usually in the hospital overnight.

Patients will follow-up every 3-6 months during the first 2 years and then annually thereafter.

Depending on your job you may return to work in approximately 1-2 weeks if your duties are light and not physically demanding. However, if your job is more physically demanding then you may need a few weeks off.

Patients are generally walking the hallways on the day of surgery. We encourage light exercise such as walking for the first few weeks. Reserve the strenuous activity until at least 4-6 weeks after bariatric surgery.

Patients go on a liquid diet immediately after surgery and this progresses to a pureed diet then a soft diet over a six week period. Regular healthy foods are then reintroduced slowly.

For the first 6-8 weeks after bariatric surgery your pills may have to be crushed or may have to be in a liquid form until the inflammation of surgery subsides. After this period you will be able to take your regular pills again.

Yes. All patients having bariatric surgery are at risks of not getting all the necessary nutrients. Vitamins are necessary for all the procedures. Common vitamin and mineral supplements include a multivitamin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron. The exact requirement depends on the surgery performed and blood results.

Patients are advised to avoid pregnancy for the first 18-24 months after surgery to avoid risks to the fetus during the period of rapid weight loss.