Coastal Center for Obesity : Patient Support : Ask the Experts

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Ask the Experts

Thank you for using Ask the Experts. Coastal Center for Obesity would be happy to answer your questions. Please use the provided links to see if answers to your question are already available. Feel free to use our secure email for sensitive or personal medical issues pertaining to you. You may also find answers to your questions in the Gastric Bypass FAQ, LAP-BAND® FAQ, and Exercise Training areas.

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Pre-operative Questions - About the Surgery
Pre-operative Questions - Optional Surgical Procedures
Pre-operative Questions - Other Issues
The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Diet
The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Activities
The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Cosmetic Concerns
The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Psychologic Concerns
The Late Post-Operative Period - Weight Regain
The Late Post-Operative Period - Pregnancy
The Late Post-Operative Period - Other Issues
General Questions
The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Surgical Concerns

Pre-operative Questions - About the Surgery

What is the significance of the drainage tube?

What if I'm having constipation?

What if I'm having gas?

Is hair loss typical?

What is Coastal Obesity's relationship with physicians I already see?

How is laparoscopic gastric bypass different than open gastric bypass?

Is laparoscopic gastric bypass safe?

How does laparoscopic gastric bypass compare to open gastric bypass?

Why aren’t all gastric bypasses done laparoscopically?

Is laparoscopic surgery right for me?

Can the surgery be reversed?

What are the main risks of surgery?

Are there long term risks after surgery?

How long is the hospital stay?

Is it possible to perform this surgery on a Crohn's patient?

For the bypass part of the surgery is it dystal or proxel and how much is it? (i.e. 100cm vs 150 of the intestines)

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Pre-operative Questions - Optional Surgical Procedures

Can I have a hysterectomy at the same time?

Under what conditions is the gallbladder removed?

I need gallbladder surgery as well. Can I have both done through your facility?

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Pre-operative Questions - Other Issues

How can stomach surgery cause me not to crave ice cream or mayonnaise?

I have irritable bowel syndrome. Will that go away after surgery?

Will my sex life improve?

What if my friends accuse me of taking the easy way out?

My physician said he will not refer me for surgery unless I loss 100lbs. If I could successfully loose the weight I wouldn't need the surgery. He based this on the BMI. I am discourged, Is this a frequently asked by doctor's before the surgery? Thank you

My question is that I have been feeling somewhat tired and I'am losing my hair really bad, is it not enough protein? I have started to up the protein, I had surgery in Oct/03 and have lost about 63 pounds. Thank you.

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The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Diet

What is dumping?

Why is Trinsicon required? Why can’t I just get iron or B12 over the counter?

What is the reason for protein shakes after surgery?

How long do I have to take the shakes?

How long do I have to take vitamins?

How much food can I eat after surgery?

Are there specific foods or drugs that I should avoid after surgery?

Is it possible to rupture the staples after surgery?

Why don’t people just keep losing weight until they get sick or die?

How can I prevent stretching out my new stomach?

Does surgery affect how well I absorb my medications?

Can I drink carbonated beverages after surgery?

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The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Activities

How long before I can go to work? Exercise? Drive a car? Have sex?

Will I ever eat normally again?

What kind of exercise should I do after surgery?

How soon after surgery can I bathe or shower?

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The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Cosmetic Concerns

How about my scar? Can I make it go away or become smaller?

Will I need plastic surgery after I lose weight to remove loose skin?

Does exercise help prevent loose skin?

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The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Psychologic Concerns

What will the support group do for me?

What if my overweight friends reject me?

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The Late Post-Operative Period - Weight Regain

What causes some people to regain their weight?

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The Late Post-Operative Period - Pregnancy

When is it safe to get pregnant?

How much weight should I gain?

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The Late Post-Operative Period - Other Issues

How long after surgery before it is desirable to think about cosmetic surgery?

Will I lose hair after surgery? If I do will it come back?

I don’t have a support group where I live. What is the best way to stay in contact?

I am having problems with my gums now & never did before.

I'm 45 days post surgery. My hands/feet fall asleep and I have been very tired. Is this usual?

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General Questions

Is it possible to perform this surgery on a Crohn's patient? Has the "band" surgery been performed on a Crohn's patient? If so, how many and what was the result?

I just wanted to know what i can do to get ready for the psychiatrist visit ??

Can a person with RA have the procedure? If at risk for heart attack/cancer, can the procedure reduce the risks?

Why is the pouch reduced to about the size of your thumb? What if it were only reduce half its size?

i've been real tired lately could that be from not getting enough protein? and I'm generally hungry when I eat but not all the time.But more than I should be.

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The Early Post-Operative Period (the first month) - Surgical Concerns

My surgery was almost a month ago and the gas used to expand the abdomine during surgery has taken up residence in my shoulders and neck. It will be my new gold-standard of pain. It is more intense than labor pains. Does anyone have any suggestions ? It will hit me hard without any hint and wow, it totally controls me! I would appreciate any suggestions?

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