Question: How long does the surgery take?
Answer: It takes about 2 hours on average, depending on whether the procedure is done Open or Laparoscopic.

Q: How long is the patient in the hospital?
A: Average is about 2-3 days.

Q: How long after having surgery is it before you can go back to work?
A: Average is about 2-3 weeks.

Q: How is it determined whether a patient is going to have Lap Band or Roux-en-Y done?
A: This is determined by the patient's preference and the medical recommendation of the surgeon; at this time Dr. Sebastien performs both surgeries..

Q: How soon after surgery can a woman have children?
A: The woman should wait at least 18 months after the surgery.

Q: What are the age limits for having the surgery?
A: From age 18 and above.

Q: What are the criteria for having the surgery?
A: Generally the person is a candidate if the their Body Mass Index is 40+ or between 35 and 40 with two comorbid diseases.

Q: After losing weight, what can be done about excess skin?
A: The amount of excess skin will vary be individual; surgery to remove excess skin is considered cosmetic surgery and is not considered part of the gastric bypass surgery.

Q: I heard that you can not have sugar or soda after you have had the surgery. Is this true?
A: Generally yes - consuming high amounts of sugar or soda can cause the patient to experience "dumping" syndrome, which refers to responses such as nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, clammy skin, diarrhea, and headaches, among other symptoms.

Q: How long does it take from the initial paperwork process until the surgery?
A: This would depend on the person's insurance company and individual medical condition.

Q: How long has gastric bypass surgery been in existence?
A: About 30 years.

Does the rate of weight loss "plateau"?
A: The rate of weight loss can plateau, but it varies from person to person. Most of the weight loss is in the first 6-12 months.

Q: How long after the surgery can the person go back to an exercise program?
A: Usually about 12 weeks with an open gastric bypass surgery, and 4 weeks after Laparoscopic.

Q: How much pain results from the surgery?
A: There will be pain immediately after the surgery, but this is well-controlled in the hospital with a pain control pump. This device allows you to have the appropriate pain medication, as you require, but will not permit you to use more medication that is safe.

Q: What about the pre-op diet?
A: The patient is put on a mostly protein diet, starting two weeks before the surgery.