Most morbidly obese individuals have tried numerous weight loss methods and have failed.  Also, most morbidly obese individuals are at high risk or suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea and obesity surgery will alleviate and may eliminate such problems.  Surgery is the only effective treatment of severe obesity.

The Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is my procedure of preference; I believe it is the most effective operation for morbid obesity.  However, for those patients which safety and reversibility are their main concern, I could offer the option of the Lap Band (Laparoscopic Adjustable Banding).  Occasionally I would consider Laparoscopic Revision and/or Conversion from other bariatric procedures.

It depends on the procedure and the weight of the patient.  The heavier the patient, the longer the procedure.  In average the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y takes between 70 and 90 minutes, and the Lap Band takes between 45 to 60 minutes.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is reversible, but you must understand that it will take very complex, serious and major surgical procedures to take it down.  Lap Band is easily reversible, but it will require a surgery with hospital admission post-op recovery.

ALL surgeries involve a certain amount of risk, and this surgery is no exception.  Also, obese patients have more risks and complications than non-obese patients do.  The surgeon will go over the complications with you, but it is important to realize that the risks of obesity surgery are outweighed by the risks of leaving morbid obesity untreated.  Also, not all patients have the same surgical risk.  The heavier the patient the bigger the risk.  The higher risks are for:

Vomiting is more frequent in banding procedures patients because of the band placed around the stomach pouch.  It can occur in some gastric bypass patients, but it is much less common.

Normally, patients are in the hospital for 2 to 3 days, and patients usually return to work 2 weeks after surgery.

The Gastric Bypass and the Lap Band are mainly restrictive surgical procedures designed to reduce the amount of food you consume at one sitting.  In other words, you will feel satisfied more quickly and will eat smaller amounts of food.

Depends on the kind of procedure you had:

With the Gastric Bypass, you will start losing weight in the first week after surgery, but how much weight you lose will depend on how overweight you are.  Within the first 3 months, patients will normally lose an average of 20% to 30% of their weight.  Within a year, most patients reach their maximum weight loss, however the IDEAL WEIGHT (published by booklets and magazines) is seldom achieved.  Have a realistic expectation about the results and benefits of this surgery.  THE MORE OFTEN YOU EAT AND THE MORE ACTIVE YOU ARE, THE MORE WEIGHT YOU LOSE AND HEALTHIER YOU ARE.

With the Lap Band, it's different: weight loss is slower, and patients need close doctor's supervision.  It is recommended that patients lose about 2 pounds per week.  If weight loss is less than that, the band will need to be tightened.  On the other hand, if the patient develops vomiting and reflux, it will need to be deflated.  In both cases the patient will need to visit his/her doctor who will adjust the Band in the office, or as an outpatient in the hospital.  Some patients need about 3 years to complete their weight loss.

No.  Your metabolism will eventually adjust to the smaller amounts of food and the calories you intake.  This is why it is important for you to follow instructions given to you by your doctor - take vitamin and nutrient supplements, make sure to get enough protein, and eat small meals every 3 hours.

No.  However, it is important for you to realize that surgery is just the beginning.  Obesity surgery provides you with the mechanical means to help you lose and manage your weight.  You will have to adopt a healthy way of life: eating right and making certain that you get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.  The decision to have this surgery is a COMMITMENT to changing your life.  After surgery, your eating habits will change: you must eat every 2 to 3 hours, small amounts of food (remember the stomach pouch is about ý to 1 cup, of low carbohydrate, healthy meals).  Most people are able to eat most foods, but it will take time, and it is important to remember that everybody is different.  It is also possible to sabotage the surgery.  One way to do this is to eat large amounts of food at one sitting.  By doing this, the small pouch will STRETCH.  Eating large amounts of food like ice cream will also sabotage the surgery.  Because it is in liquid form, a patient will not feel full very quickly.  It is high in fat and calories and has no nutritional value.  Once again, it will be very important for you to strictly follow all the instructions given to you by the doctor during your pre-op and post-op visits.  Keep those eating guidelines always with you.  If you are having problems read them again to see if you are really following these directions.

Patients who attend support programs have a better success rate than those who do not.