Bariatric Surgery Options

Once you and your provider decide which surgical option is right for you, you’ll be asked to participate in Southwest General’s pre-surgical bariatric lifestyle program to help optimize your success post-surgery. This program is required by most insurance companies. Components of the program include:

• Starting and maintaining an exercise routine.
• Losing a percentage of your body weight before surgery to help decrease your risk of surgical complications.
• Psychological and nutrition counseling.
• Support groups comprised of other surgical patients, as well as those who have completed surgery

While you are ultimately responsible for your success, you will receive one-on-one care from our team throughout your journey. Some of the long-term quality of life benefits our patients see after surgery include remission of weight-related illnesses, increased self-confidence, mobility and social life, and decreased anxiety and depression.

At Southwest General, our board-certified surgeon offers two different bariatric surgeries that result in long-term, sustainable weight loss by making permanent changes to your digestive system. Since our procedures are minimally invasive, you can expect less bleeding, less pain and a shorter hospital stay.

What to Expect Post Surgery?

• The average hospital stay is 1 to 2 nights.
• Average recovery time is 2 to 6 weeks.
• Expect to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks post-surgery followed by pureed foods for the remainder of the month.
• You will be able to consume soft foods by weeks 4 and 5 and a regular diet by week 6.
• Most of your weight loss will occur in the first 12-18 months post-surgery.

On average, people lose 60-70% of excess weight within one year of surgery. And, after 10 years, most people have maintained an average weight loss of 55% of their original excess body weight.