FAQ

Not really. Oregon Weight Loss Surgery evaluates each patient on an individual basis. If you think bariatric surgery may benefit you, you are encouraged to fill out a request for appointment, which will then be evaluated. After this evaluation, if our surgeons feel the patient is an acceptable operative risk, the patient will be accepted, regardless of age.

This can vary greatly depending on a person’s individual insurance requirements. It can take anywhere from 2-6 months to complete the required work up, meet with the surgeon and obtain the insurance authorization. Surgery cannot be scheduled until insurance has approved the surgery, unless you are a self-pay patient. For self-pay patients, the timeline is typically 10 weeks from consultation to surgery, because insurance requirements do not impact appointment scheduling.

Yes. It is important to remember that there are no guarantees in any kind of medicine or surgery. Weight loss surgery will only succeed if you make a lifelong commitment to better health. Surgery is only a tool. Your ultimate success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes.

No. Surgery should be the beginning of a new, healthy lifestyle that includes eating small portions of healthy foods and exercising. Surgery provides a tool for weight loss with a lifetime commitment to change. You will receive specific dietary and exercise recommendations during your follow up visits.

The recommendation is to wait one year. This allows your body to “normalize” with your new surgery and does not sabotage your weight loss efforts. After your one year visit and blood tests, you will typically be cleared to get pregnant.

Yes. Prior to surgery, we have all patients start a bariatric multivitamin, Thiamine and Biotin. Additional vitamins will be added after surgery.

Sometimes. It depends on the individual person, age, gender and body shape. Plastic surgery is typically considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance. Performing the recommended resistance exercises after surgery can reduce loose skin in the upper arms.

Having bariatric surgery does not allow you to eat very much food. This means that nutritional “economy” (or balance in smaller quantities) becomes very important for you. Every day you need to eat at least 30 grams of protein for every 100 lbs of body weight to maintain your healthy muscle tissue which is important for weight loss. We recommend that you consume protein first, at each meal. You should consume a minimum of 60g of protein per day.

Yes, GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease) is improved in most patients following bariatric surgery, especially if you are sticking with a health diet and eating slowly. Some patients experience an increase in GERD, but it is typically well controlled with medication.

All patients need a psychology evaluation completed by one of our psychologists, as they are specialized in bariatrics.

It typically takes 2-6 months to get the band optimally adjusted so that you feel “restricted” when eating a small amount of food, and less hungry between meals.

Blood sugars can normalize quickly and insulin requirements can decrease rapidly, even in the first two weeks after surgery. If you are taking insulin before surgery, we recommend seeing your primary care provider or endocrinologist 2 weeks post-op.

Lack of weight loss after bariatric surgery can be multifactorial. If you have concerns about the progress of your weight loss you should make an appointment with your bariatric surgeon to discuss your concerns. Depending on your circumstance, the surgeons may order additional tests for metabolism or other diagnostic studies. Sometimes weight loss medications are prescribed as an adjunct.

You may also be encouraged to keep an exercise and food log and have them reviewed by your surgeon or other clinicians to ensure proper lifestyle changes. Sometimes weight loss medications are prescribed as an adjunct. 

During the first four weeks after surgery we want you walking at least 5-10 minutes every 2 hours while awake or more if tolerated. You will also be limited to lifting less than 15 pounds for the first four weeks. Generally after four weeks there are no restrictions but your activity level should be discussed with your surgeon at your follow up visit.

There are several operations for treating obesity. Our goal at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery is to help patients find the procedure that is best suited for them as an individual.

Morbid obesity increases the risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), high cholesterol, sleep apnea, respiratory insufficiency, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, asthma & bronchitis, degenerative disease of the Lumbo-Sacral spine, degenerative arthritis of weight-bearing joints, heartburn or reflux disease, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, stress urinary incontinence, venous stasis disease, depression and many cancers.

Sometimes. Depending on your BMI, your surgeon may require a little weight loss before surgery to make surgery safer for you.

Your surgeon will determine your risk for surgery during your consult. You may be required to lose weight or see other specialists (such as cardiologist, pulmonologist, endocrinologist) to optimize your health to make surgery as safe as possible. It is very rare that we think someone is too sick for surgery.

Typically, your surgeon will place you on a high protein, low calorie diet before surgery to allow for preoperative weight loss. You will be required to do a liquid diet 1-3 days before your surgery. After surgery your diet will consist of two weeks of liquids followed by two weeks of pureed food from high protein sources. Then, two weeks of soft solids. At 6 weeks, full solids are allowed. You will see a dietician both before and after surgery to discuss your specific nutritional requirements.

Typically, yes. COVID-19 has impacted visitor allowances at our facilities. Prior to COVID-19 limitations, you are allowed to have 1-2 visitors with you in the preoperative area before surgery. Once you are taken to the operating room your visitors will need to go to the visitor waiting area. If you wish, after surgery, your surgeon will discuss your surgery with your visitor(s) either in the waiting area or by phone.

After a Sleeve Gastrectomy or Lap-Band, there are rarely any medication restrictions. Anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, naproxen) and aspirin are contraindications to the Gastric Bypass due to the increase risk of ulcers. Smoking is also contraindicated after a Gastric Bypass due to the same risk of stomach ulcers. If you have specific conditions that require you to take these medications then an alternative surgery may be recommended by your surgeon. If you are unsure if a specific medication is safe for you to take after surgery, always consult with your bariatric surgeon before taking it.

Yes, follow up is very important after bariatric surgery. Specific surgeries require different recommended follow up intervals. The Lap Band has the most frequent follow up schedule. You may be recommended to follow up monthly for the first 6-months with the Lap Band to ensure the best results. After the first year of having your lap band, it is typically recommended that you follow up every 3-6 months.

The Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy have less recommended follow up than the Lap Band. These require a one month post op visit then every 3-4 months for the first year. After the first year it is recommended you follow up annually to ensure you are having a healthy weight loss and to monitor for complications or vitamin deficiencies. You may be recommended to follow up more frequently depending on your specific health needs.