Hospitalization and Follow-Up

The average hospital stay for weight loss surgery is 2 nights. More complicated patients, such as those with sleep apnea or with severe lung or heart problems, may require a longer hospital stay.

Prior to surgery, you will undergo a pre-operative physical evaluation, receive our extensive educational booklet about the surgery, and participate in a 2-1/2-hour comprehensive pre-op class. These measures help prepare you for surgery long in advance and individualized attention with the nurse and/or dietitian is available to all patients before and after surgery. Because of our team approach, you will have access to the nurse, dietitians, and other team members via telephone and email.

You will have life-time access to nursing and dietitian services, and one can have one-on-one counseling during follow-up visits. After gastric bypass surgery, the follow up visits are scheduled as follows:

• 2-3 weeks post-op

• 3-4 months post-op

• 6-8 months post-op

• 1 year after surgery

• Yearly for life

Because this surgery requires life-time changes in behavior and lifestyles, we strive to maintain contact with all patients ‘for life.’ This helps us ensure you continue appropriate eating and exercise practices, as well as safe levels of essential vitamins, while enjoying the benefits of life-long weight maintenance.