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Life After Surgery

Following bariatric surgery, your weight will come off gradually. Your greatest weight loss will occur during the first several months after the operation.

Over the long term, we stress consistency of weight loss rather than the speed at which the pounds come off. After a few months, your rate of weight loss will gradually decrease. This is normal. It happens because the weight which is lost is fat (adipose tissue) rather than lean body mass (muscle). Hence, the more fatty tissue that is lost, the less remaining fat on the body that there is to be lost.

Attend follow-up visits with the doctors and support staff at Arch Bariatrics.

Eat smaller portions and stop when you feel full.

Choose healthier foods for better nutrition. Proper nutrition is essential after weight loss surgery.

Take vitamins and minerals replacements as advised.

Exercise regularly doing the physical activities you enjoy most.

Participate in support group meetings both in person and online.

Celebrate your weight loss success with friends and family (but not with food!)

Your Medical condition

Obesity-related medical problems will likely improve with a modest degree of weight loss after your surgery. Blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose) in diabetics and blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in patients with hyperlipidemia need to be monitored regularly. You’re encouraged to see your own medical doctor at regular intervals after the operation, particularly for adjustments in any medications you take. With steady weight loss, patients often require lower doses of medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. With a little luck, you won’t require any medications for these problems after achieving a substantial amount of weight loss.

Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery

We usually recommend waiting for 12- 18 months after surgery prior to getting pregnant. Weight loss surgery significantly increases fertility and as a result some form of contraception is advised to avoid unexpected pregnancy.

After the surgery there is less risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth and as a result most patients go on to have a healthy child.

Do I need Plastic Surgery after Bariatric Surgery?

At Arch Bariatrics, we view weight loss surgery as an effective way to improve your health through weight loss. Cosmetic improvements are not the main intention of the surgery but a side effect that many of our patients like!

Not all patients will need plastic surgery after weight loss surgery. While exercise can help tone muscles, unfortunately in some cases, no amount of exercise will get rid of sagging or excessive hanging skin caused by major weight loss.

If you find that you have excessive sagging or hanging skin around the abdomen after weight loss you may be a good candidate for panniculectomy. During a panniculectomy, surgeons will remove excess skin in your abdominal area, called the pannus, which causes an apron-like overhang.

Whereas a panniculectomy removes just excess skin around your middle section, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and also involves tightening of the abdominal muscles under the skin in most cases. If you are concerned about having a firmer, smoother stomach after weight loss, a tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty) is more likely to give you the results you desire.

Body contouring after major weight loss removes excess skin and fat and improves the shape and tone of your underlying tissue in areas such as Upper arms, Breasts, Buttocks, groin and thighs. The result is a more normal appearance to the body, with smoother contours.

Panniculectomy, tummy tuck and body contouring are not substitutes for weight loss or exercise. Patients who’ve lost weight should be at least 12-18 months post-op and have reached their goal weight prior to having cosmetic procedures and skin removal.

Patient Journey