What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery, sometimes called weight-loss surgery, includes procedures that reduce the amount of space available in your stomach to digest food. The team at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia uses minimally invasive robotic surgical techniques whenever possible to perform bariatric surgeries including gastric bypass, gastric sleeves, and revisional bariatric procedures.
At the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia, their surgeons use minimally invasive robotic surgical techniques whenever possible to perform bariatric surgeries. Robotic surgery only requires a few small incisions, and the advanced da Vinci® surgical system allows enhanced vision, precision, dexterity, and control. As a result, you have a more expedient recovery with less pain and a lower risk of infection and scarring.
However, the decision to have bariatric surgery shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s not a quick fix and requires significant lifestyle changes to maintain your weight loss.
Who is a good candidate for bariatric surgery?
The team at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia considers each patient individually when recommending bariatric surgery. However, some of the criteria used to identify ideal candidates include:
- Being more than 100 pounds overweight
- Having a BMI of 40 or higher
- Having an obesity-related condition like high blood pressure or diabetes
- Having a history of unsuccessful attempts to lose weight
You also need to be committed to changing your diet and exercise habits after your bariatric surgery. You might also find it helpful to have a support network in place to help you recover and implement your new habits. The team requires all bariatric candidates to have a psychological evaluation before scheduling surgery.
What forms of bariatric surgery do you offer?
The surgical team at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia offers several forms of minimally invasive bariatric surgery, including:
- robotic sleeve gastrectomies
- robotic bypasses
- robotic revisional surgery
Performing these procedures using the state-of-the-art da Vinci system allows your surgeon to be more accurate and precise, ensuring optimal surgical outcomes with easier recoveries.
What should I expect after bariatric surgery?
Your surgeon provides personalized advice on what to expect and how to take care of yourself after bariatric surgery. At the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia, patients stay just one night in the hospital before being discharged without narcotics. Instead, our surgeons suggest taking Tylenol to help manage your postoperative discomfort at home.
Most patients lose a significant amount of weight after bariatric surgery, and you might find that health issues like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure subside.
However, in most cases, you won’t be able to eat for a day or two after your operation to allow your stomach time to heal. Then, you follow a strict diet to get used to the restricted space available in your stomach.
For example, for the first few weeks, you need to stick to liquids, including protein shakes and smoothies. As time passes and your body heals, you can introduce pureed foods and eventually return to eating small amounts of solid food. You also need to take vitamins to ensure your body absorbs all the nutrients it needs for optimal functionality.
If you’re interested in bariatric surgery, call the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia or make an appointment online today to learn about your eligibility and surgical options.
