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Bariatric

Surgery

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Bariatric Surgery Serving Oregon

Who Qualifies For Bariatric Surgery?

There are certain criteria established by the National Institute of Health for bariatric surgery. A patient may meet the standards that classify them as “eligible” for surgery, but insurance still may not cover the surgery. (See the section on insurance to learn more.) The following are criteria used to determine eligibility; however, these criteria are not universal standards:

Being morbidly obese or 75 to 100 lbs. over “ideal” body weight. The Metropolitan Life Weight Table is the standard used in determining a patient’s ideal body weight.
Medical conditions that are likely to benefit from weight reduction, including hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes, congestive heart failure, arthritis, reflux disease, back or joint problems, or other obesity related disorders.
Inability to maintain weight loss through other methods.
Free from alcohol or drug dependence. If there is a history of alcohol or drug dependency, the person should be well into a good treatment program with a minimum of one-year sobriety.
No severe psychological, emotional, or medical problems that would make the surgery unsuccessful.
Highly motivated to follow a weight loss regimen.
A willingness to make a formal commitment to a dramatic change in lifestyle.
Self pay patients may be considered a candidate with a BMI of 30 or greater

What Are the Complications or Risks of Bariatric Surgery?

It is important to understand that all surgeries carry a risk of complication, and this procedure is no exception. We pride ourselves on educating our patients on the possible risks of bariatric surgery at our office serving Portland, Eugene, Medford, Roseburg, and communities throughout Oregon. We believe that individuals should be able to make informed decisions regarding care. The risk of death is about .5 percent, as documented in the 20,000 patients accessed to The National Bariatric Surgery Registry. Complications can be divided into two categories: those specific to the bariatric procedure and those common to any major abdominal surgery.

The following complications may occur after bariatric surgery, but are not limited to:

Stricture (partial closing) of the surgically created anastomosis (0.5 percent)
Disruption of the suture lines with leak and/or abscess, peritonitis (1 percent)
Injury to spleen during surgery or major hemorrhage (1.5 percent)

It is important to recognize that disruption of the suture line can occur due to overfilling the pouch. This occurs from eating past the point of being satisfied. Overfilling can cause the stomach to stretch, as well as the sutures to pull apart. This can cause leakage or failure of the operation. It is extremely important to avoid fibrous foods for the first six weeks after the operation – the stomach and intestines cannot digest these foods properly. Food that cannot be easily digested sits in the stomach and can form a mass, called a bezoar. The body causes severe vomiting in an effort to expel undigested foods. This violent vomiting can cause disruption to the suture line as well.

The following complications may occur after any abdominal surgery, but are not limited to:

Incisional hernia (10 percent)
Marginal ulcer or obstruction (1 percent)
Intestinal obstruction (1 percent)
Respiratory complications (1 percent)
Stroke or heart attack (0.1 percent)
Wound dehiscence (1 percent)
Anesthetic complications (0.1 percent)

What Can I Expect After Bariatric Surgery?

Success for permanent weight loss involves committing yourself to a new way of life. As you consider bariatric surgery as a possible option, it is necessary to understand that success depends on making significant life style changes. The operation itself will bring weight loss by forcing you to change your eating habits. For a successful outcome, it will be necessary to exercise regularly and follow the postoperative dietary guidelines. With compliance, the surgery will help you lose weight, and with continued commitment you can maintain that weight loss. We are happy to help our patients maintain the results of bariatric surgery, and offer post-treatment support and care.

What Can I Do to Achieve Optimal Results and Maintain Weight Loss?

There are several steps you can take to achieve optimal results and maintain weight loss, including:

Precisely follow postoperative diet instructions.
Regular exercise five days a week, lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes a day.
Attend support groups.
Begin eating three meals a day four to six weeks after your surgery.
Make healthy food choices.
No snacking.
No high calorie beverages.
Do not skip meals.
No liquids with meals. Stop drinking 5 minutes before meals and wait to start drinking 60 minutes after meals.

General Information

The Lap Band sleeve gastrectomy and gastric imbrication may be performed in an out patient facility. Gastric bypass surgery usually requires a hospital stay of two nights. Each individual recovers at a different rate.

It generally takes about six weeks to recover from any type of major abdominal surgery. Some patients feel a sense of well being soon after surgery as their weight begins to come off. If you have a desk job you can usually return to work one to two weeks after discharge from the hospital. However, if you have a job that requires lifting or excessive stretching and bending, you will need to wait six weeks.

It is important to be examined the first, third, sixth, ninth, and 12th month following bariatric surgery at our office serving Portland and communities throughout Oregon. Your first follow-up visit will be between one and two weeks after surgery. At that time we will check your incision and answer any questions. Gastric bypass surgery-related follow-up visits are free of charge for three months. Self pay patients follow up is free for one year. However, there will be a charge for any necessary laboratory work or X-rays.