Weight Loss Surgery - Questions and Answers.

Will I lose too much weight and get too thin?

This has not been a problem with any of our patients who have undergone weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass surgery reduces the calorie intake to a level which is adequate to nourish the patient at their correct body weight. After the weight loss surgery your weight will fall until this point is reached, and will then stabilise.

Will the weight come back on?

The main reason for the popularity of the gastric bypass operation is the excellent long term results in weight loss it has shown. Even after more than 10 years, patients keep the excess weight off. At Landauer, we have seen no cases of worrying weight gain after a gastric bypass operation. Once the weight loss period is over, it is quite common for weight to fluctuate, but that is what happens in most people anyway and substantial weight gain has not been a problem. Scientific data from gastric surgeons in the America over a 15 year period confirms this.

Can I eat normal food or does it have to be mashed up?

For the first 6 weeks, food must be pureed because there will inevitably be some swelling after gastric bypass surgery. Solid food for patients who have gone through weight loss surgery is reintroduced gradually. After a period of between two weeks and three months, patients are back on normal solid food. However, the amount of food eaten after obesity surgery will be much smaller and portions will gradually increase over time.

Is the surgery reversible?

It is technically possible to surgically reverse the RNY gastric bypass operation, but there is no need to and no patient has ever asked us to do this. Neither have we ever had to reverse the gastric bypass procedure on medical grounds.

What are the risks?

The gastric bypass operation is major surgery, but when performed properly by an experienced surgeon like those here at The Landauer Group it has been shown to be safe and well tolerated.

The main risks relating to any surgery in very overweight people are the chance of chest infection, infection of the wound and wound hernias later on. Chest infections and blockages in the veins of the lower legs are a potential concern but here at Landauer we take various extra special precautions to prevent them, and these complications have not been a problem.

The greatest hazard following the RNY gastric bypass is of a leak from the new, stapled join between the stomach and the small intestine. However We X-ray all of our patients, post surgery, to make sure that there are no leaks.

We have had no leaks in all the open gastric bypass procedures we have carried out. If a leak did occur, the patient would need an urgent second gastric bypass surgery.

Can I get pregnant after the procedure?

Yes. In fact, the chance of you becoming pregnant improves as periods become more regular with the weight loss. We normally suggest that patients wait 12 months before trying to get pregnant. This is because of malnourishment risks to the unborn baby after the stomach operation. Once a your weight has leveled off, there is adequate nutrition available for the baby and pregnancy is safe.

What happens after you've lost the weight?

Following the successful weight loss operation, it is likely that the patient will be left with excess skin around the stomach area and maybe the upper body and legs. Landauer Cosmetic surgery can provide further surgery to rectify this and to complete the final stage of the patient's body transformation.

OK, what do I do now?

The quickest way to contact us for more information or to book your consultation with the weight loss surgeon, is to call us on 0844 335 6126 and speak to Marcus Landauer for a friendly and informal chat.

Obesity is a killer. Act now, it may just save your life!