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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the surgery painful?
A: Pain post-operatively is minimal and any discomfort should be well controlled with oral medication. Shoulder tip pain, due to the gases used in the abdominal cavity which give your surgeon room to work, should not persist beyond the first few days.
Will I be sick after the operation?
A: Gastric band surgery limits food intake. Persistent nausea may mean you are not chewing your food well or that you are not following the diet rules properly. There may also be a problem with the placement of the band so you should contact your surgeon or the WSC if the problem continues.
How quickly will I lose weight?
A: Immediately after surgery, due to decreased food intake, you will likely lose quite a bit of weight. Once you’ve begun to move back onto a near normal diet you will quite possibly gain weight. Sometimes it takes several fills or adjustments to get the band to the optimum pressure to enable you to eat well, and also to be in control of the amount you eat. It is only then, that you will begin a gradual and consistent loss of weight. Exercise will enhance weight loss at any stage post-operatively.
Will I feel hungry or deprived with the adjustable gastric band?
A: The gastric band makes you eat less and feel full in two ways – by reducing the capacity of your stomach and increasing the time it takes food to get through the digestive system. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel full. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well, you should not feel hungry or deprived. Remember that the gastric band is a tool to help you change your eating habits
What if I think my band is too tight?
A: Adjustments are very simple and easy to do and will give immediate relief. If you find that you cannot tolerate food or fluids which you were previously able to manage in larger amounts, prior to your fill, please call your surgeon or the WSC. If you find that you have a choking or full feeling when you lie down at night, or are suddenly suffering from increasing heartburn, your band may be to tight.
Once I’ve lost weight, should I have the gastric band removed?
It is possible to remove the band. However, gastric bands should be considered ‘implants for life’! Gastric banding is usually the last resort for morbidly obese people, so unless it is causing problems, the band should not be removed. Removal of the band often leads to a rapid regaining of all the weight previously lost.
Will gastric banding affect my chances of getting pregnant and once pregnant what should I do about the band?
A: Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you become pregnant, the band does not need to be removed. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the band may be made tighter again, and you can resume losing weight.
Will I need to take vitamin supplements?
A: You may. It’s possible you may not get enough vitamins from three small meals a day. Use of multivitamins is recommended.
What about other medication?
A: You should be able to take prescribed medication without difficulty. You may need to use capsules or break big tablets in half so they do not get stuck and make you sick. You should always ask your doctor whether any prescribed medication has intestinal implications.
What about alcohol?
A: An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful to weight loss. However, alcohol has a high number of calories and excessive consumption will keep you from reaching your weight-loss goals.
Are there any limitations on what I can eat?
A: Gastric band surgery does not alter what you should eat… it changes the amounts you feel comfortable eating. Because you can only eat small portions, it is important to include foods full of important vitamins and nutrients as advised by our surgeon and/or dietitian. If you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of “empty” calories, such as milkshakes, the effect of the gastric band may be greatly reduced or negated.
What are the limitations physical activity with the gastric band?
A: Once post operative recovery is complete, gastric bands do not limit physical activity in any way.
Q: How is the band adjusted?
A: Adjustments are sometimes carried with the assistance of x-ray equipment. Under local anaesthesia, an extremely small needle is passed through the skin into the access port to add or subtract saline. This process takes only a few minutes and requires no post-adjustment oral analgesia
Once I have lost weight, will plastic surgery be needed to remove excess skin?
A: Although it is not always the case, it is a possibility that you will require plastic surgery to remove excess skin tissue that has not regained its elasticity. As a rule, plastic surgery should not be considered for at least a year or two after the operation and you should have held your goal weight for at least 3 months before considering plastic surgery at all.
About the Western Surgery Centre
Where does the gastric band surgery take place?
Surgery takes place at our facility, where we have 4 state-of-the-art operating rooms and a large post-operative recovery unit.
Where does the consultation take place?
The consultation will usually take place at our facility. However, to expedite the process or if geographically more convenient for the patient, we may arrange for the consultation to take place in the office of one of our bariatric surgeons.
Do I need to have blood work done, or any other tests?
All bariatric patients must be seen by a WSC anesthetist prior to surgery for a general medical assessment. For patients that are 40 or older or patients with problems relating to high blood pressure we require an ECG test as well as haemoglobin and other blood work. Blood work is required with any surgery taking 3 hours or more. Other tests might be required depending on the physical history of the patient.
Can I go home on my own?
Absolutely not! Every patient MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult who may either drive you home or accompany you home in a taxi. Public transportation is not an option. Your surgery will be cancelled if you cannot guarantee an escort to drive you home post-surgery.
What are the rules on eating and smoking before surgery?
Detailed preoperative instructions will be provided prior to the date of your surgery. Most surgical procedures require you refrain from eating past midnight but you may have clear fluids (‘clear’ = water, apple or cranberry juice (no orange juice), black coffee or tea (with no cream, creamer or milk)) up to 2 hours prior to surgery.
Preferably, the longer you abstain from smoking, the better your surgical outcome will be. Smoking has implications for the anesthetic and adversely influences the healing process after surgery. Ideally, you should refrain from smoking as long as you can. However, at the very least, you should not smoke the day of your surgery.
I am from out-of-town. Where should stay overnight in Winnipeg?
At Western Surgery, we attempt to make visits for out-of-town patients as comfortable as possible. We are honoured that you would travel a great distance to be with us.
If you are sleep apneic, you must stay in the city overnight following your surgery. This allows the surgeon to check on your condition and one of our nurses to monitor you over-night. While there are many hotels in Winnipeg, patients from the Western Surgery Centre generally stay at the Four Points Sheraton Winnipeg South, conveniently located near our surgical facility. This brand new property features 76 comfortable guest rooms, a fully-equipped Business Centre, free Wireless High Speed Internet Access, and handy services like same day valet laundry service.
Four Points by Sheraton
2935 Pembina Highway Winnipeg, MB R3T 2H5
(204) 275-7711