Bariatric Surgery

Follow-Up Care

After surgery, during the first year, patients meet from two to four times with a member of their health care team and a psychologist. Team members work to help patients 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 maintain the weight loss. Following the guidelines about food choices and level of physical activity is very important. Behavioral therapy focuses on behaviors that get in the way of losing and keeping off weight.

Weight-reduction surgery at Mayo Clinic is a tool that helps people get a new start toward maintaining long-term good health.

Life after Surgery

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

Eating habits change. Because of reduced stomach size, the patient must limit consumption of food and liquid. While others eat full meals, the patient can only eat a few bites. Instead of eating three times a day, the patient eats small quantities several times a day. The patient also will need to take recommended vitamin and mineral supplements daily.

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

Surgery for weight reduction is not a miracle procedure. The patient must change eating and exercise habits. Without changes to the daily pattern of eating and activity, the patient is likely to regain the weight over time.

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