nix health care system
NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center
Questions and Answers
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Although the LAP-BAND System is a minimally invasive procedure, you can expect some soreness, especially where the access port is, but it should subside after a few days. It’s important to try to walk as much as you can comfortably, so that you’ll regain strength and prevent blood clots, but take it slowly.
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During the first week after surgery, allow yourself to recover and get plenty of rest. In about a week, you should be able to return to work, provided it’s not physically demanding. For more physically active jobs, you will need two to three weeks to recover. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to resume all normal activity and start a new exercise program.
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After surgery, you’ll need a new nutrition plan. You’ll learn about the healthy changes you can and need to make in your diet and lifestyle from the staff at the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center. It’s very important, for your overall success, to follow your new eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the surgery. In the first few weeks after your LAP-BAND System surgery, you will be on a liquid diet, since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, after about six weeks, you will be able to eat solid foods.
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The first adjustment usually occurs four to six weeks after surgery—although the exact time varies from patient to patient. The LAP-BAND System is designed to help you achieve steady and safe weight loss, so you and your surgeon will decide when the time is right for you to have your first adjustment. At your first adjustment appointment, you should expect to discuss your eating habits, exercise, and rate of weight loss. This will help determine if it’s time for you to have a band adjustment.
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Weight loss with the LAP-BAND is a gradual process. Most people lose about one to three pounds per week for the first year. In the second year, the weight may come off more slowly or you may even stay the same for several weeks. You should share your goals and your progress with your doctor and he/she can recommend the best plan of action to lose or maintain weight in the years following your surgery.
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Weight loss surgery is a tool to help you lose weight that also requires effort and commitment on the part of the individual. This includes following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, following up regularly with a physician and attending support group meetings. There have been cases where patients have not lost enough weight or do not lose the amount of weight they expected, but typically a person’s success is directly related to their commitment to the post-surgical program and recommendations, since the surgical process is only part of the overall weight loss equation.
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The largest amount of weight loss occurs in the first six months. Most people continue to lose weight slowly for the following 12-18 months. Weight loss typically plateaus at two years and some people will regain a small portion. It is very important to follow the diet and lifetstyle recommendations you receive from the staff at the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center and your surgeon in order to ensure your weight loss success and maintenance.
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Excess skin may sag after surgery therefore some people choose to undergo reconstructive surgery to further tone and enhance their figure. Skin sagging can be minimized with proper diet and exercise.
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Bariatric surgery may be an option for people who are morbidly obese (BMI >40) or severely obese (BMI >35) with obesity-related health problems) and who cannot lose weight by traditional methods. Click here to calculate your BMI.
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If you think that you qualify and are interested in learning more, please register for one of our free informational seminars either online or by calling 877-468-1262.