Bariatric Surgery

Follow-Up Care

After surgery, during the first year, patients meet with a member of their health-care team and a psychologist from two to four times. Members of the health-care team will work to help make long-term lifestyle changes. Some people may develop additional eating problems after surgery. Mayo Clinic works to prevent these difficulties.

Follow-up treatment can be done at Mayo Clinic or by the patient's hometown doctor, as long as the doctor follows Mayo Clinic's strict guidelines. The surgery alone will not help someone lose weight and keep it off. Surgery, together with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and daily exercise, will help someone lose weight and keep the weight off. Following the guidelines about food choices and level of physical activity is very important. Behavioral therapy will help work on behaviors that get in the way of losing and keeping off weight.

Weight-reduction surgery at Mayo Clinic is a tool for obese people to reset the clock and get back on track for long-term good health.

Life after Surgery

Surgery for weight reduction may change a person's life in many ways.

Eating habits will change. The reduction in stomach size means the patient must limit the amount of food and liquid consumed. While others are eating full meals, the patient will be able to eat only a few bites. Instead of eating three times a day, the patient will need to eat small quantities several times a day. The patient also will need to take recommended vitamin and mineral supplements every day.

Self-image may change as well. Some people have difficulties with depression or anxiety. As weight loss progresses, the patient's changed appearance also may affect relationships with others. Family and friends may treat the patient differently because of weight loss.

Surgery for weight reduction is not a miracle procedure. The patient must make changes to eating and exercise habits. Without changes to the daily pattern of eating and activity, the patient may re-gain the weight over time.

Excess skin — Obese people who lose weight are often left with excess skin. Some people choose to live with this while others opt for plastic surgery to have excess skin removed. Surgery for excess skin requires further evaluation and insurance approval. This is not typically encouraged until weight loss has slowed and nutrition improved — usually about a year after surgery. Note: Plastic surgery to remove excess skin often is not covered by medical insurance.