We ask our surgical weight loss patients to commit to a year-long follow-up program that includes individual counseling, group nutrition and lifestyle education, medically supervised exercise and instruction in cardiovascular risk reduction.

In monthly support groups, patients can share successes, challenges, tips and experiences and be motivated and inspired by their peers. This year-long commitment is a unique feature of NSMC’s program and a key factor in the success of our patients.

In addition, NSMC Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons provide a host of total body lift procedures once the weight has been lost.

Weight Loss Following Surgery

To reach a healthy weight, patients must adjust their eating habits and exercise patterns. Our nutritionist and other members of the NSMC support team can help. The greatest weight loss usually occurs in the first year to 18 months following surgery. Five years after the procedure patients have usually lost 50 to 75 percent of their excess weight. Read our positive surgical outcome data.

Nutritional support

Immediately following surgery, a patient’s diet is limited to sugar-free clear liquids. It is slowly expanded to include soft foods, and then finally solid foods. Patients find that eating only a little bit of food will make them feel full. They are instructed to eat small amounts slowly several times a day. A consultation with a nutritionist following surgery helps them adjust to their altered digestive system.

Because gastric bypass changes the digestive process, lifelong nutritional supplements are essential to prevent malnutrition. Patients must take daily multivitamins in addition to B12, iron and calcium supplements. A complete detailed list will be furnished by the surgical weight management team. Gastric band patients may also have to take vitamin supplements because it may not be possible to get all that are needed in three small meals a day.