What results should I expect?
Henry Ford bariatric patients typically lose 60 to 80 percent of their excess weight. However, results are individual. They will vary depending on your level of commitment, particularly your ability to maintain the diet and exercise components of the program. Your success will be measured by weight loss maintained over time, as well as your personal assessment of improved well-being.
How much weight can I expect to lose after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery? Weight loss begins immediately after surgery. During the first three months, it is common for patients to lose approximately 33 percent of their excess weight. In the fourth through 12th month, you can experience another 33 percent of excess weight loss. After approximately 18 months, motivated patients who adhere to diet and exercise guidelines can lose 75 percent of their excess weight. Most patients will maintain their weight by consuming a low fat, low sugar, 1200-calorie diet and continuing their exercise program and physical activities.
How will my diet change?
You will learn how to get the most benefit from the calories you consume by eating nutritious meals, since your stomach pouch will hold only one ounce. You will still eat three meals a day, but each one will be smaller and take approximately 30 minutes. Lifelong daily vitamins will be needed to ensure proper nutrition. Regular exercise also is required to build and preserve muscle. Your Henry Ford team will help you make these adjustments before and after surgery.
How can I live on one ounce of food?
One ounce of food may not sound like much, but you’ll be amazed to discover how little food you need to live a healthy, fulfilled life. As you adjust to your new diet, you may also need to take supplements to ensure you receive enough protein. Months down the road, your stomach pouch will increase to hold two to three ounces of food.
What vitamin supplements should I take?
Vitamins will become routine for you. The lower part of the stomach and upper intestine play important roles in the absorption of iron, calcium, magnesium and other minerals, as well as vitamins such as B12 and B6. Because weight-loss surgery bypasses those areas, you will need to take mineral and vitamin supplements for the rest of your life.
How does exercise fit in?
Exercise is one of the most crucial components of your success with weight-loss surgery. Not only does it burn calories, but it also improves your mobility and cardiovascular health. You will begin your exercise program – one that is specifically designed for you and your lifestyle – before surgery. The staff of our Working On Weight program will guide you to your goals.
What happens to my excess skin?
The amount of excess skin depends on the total amount of weight you lose, your age, if you smoke and how much the skin was stretched. Some patients elect to have plastic surgery after weight loss surgery.
What if I don’t maintain my weight loss following the surgery?
This would be highly unlikely, as most patients can maintain their weight loss permanently. Of course, losing the weight and keeping it off is ultimately up to you and your commitment to a successful outcome. Unlike other programs, the Bariatric Surgery Center at Henry Ford Hospital provides a well-rounded program committed to helping you succeed. Our program includes:
A pre-surgery Bariatric Surgery Nurse and Nutrition Consultation Class conducted by a registered nurse and registered dietitianPost-surgery nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian
A psychological pre-surgery evaluation
A consultation with an exercise physiologist (complete with a one-month membership to our Fitness Works facility)
A surgical clearance by a trained medical bariatric specialist
Experienced board-certified bariatric surgeons
Recovery care at Henry Ford Hospital's new bariatric inpatient unit.
Support groups
Can the operation be reversed?
No. This is a permanent operation and should only be considered as a last option.
