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FAQPostoperative phase
As with each surgery, there is a risk of complications.
It’s important to know that the risk of complications is higher when certain conditions are present. For example: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, previous abdominal surgery and certainly previous stomach surgery. The risk of complications is 4 to 5% for patients who are operated for the first time. It rises to 15% with redo operations, namely patients who have already had previous obesity surgery (band gastroplasty, VBG/Mason, etc). The mean complications are leakage, haemorrhage, stenosis and intestinal obstruction. Most lead to a new intervention. These complications almost always appear the first days after the intervention. You are not discharged from the hospital until we are sure you are in a good condition.
The warning sings of problems are also described in a form which can be downloaded from this site. When will I be able to exercise? We highly recommend you to do some workout after surgery. After 6 to 8 weeks you are able to do all kinds of sports without any restriction. Can I get pregnant after weight loss surgery? It is strongly recommended that women wait at least one year after bariatric surgery before a pregnancy. Approximately one year post-operatively, your body will be fairly stable (from a weight and nutrition standpoint) and the risks of a pregnancy are then less than before the surgery. Will I be able to take oral contraception after surgery? For patients with a Roux en Y gastric bypass there is no difficulty in swallowing these pills and the absorption of the chemical will be sufficient. For patients with a duodenal switch, because of the malabsorption, this is not safe anymore. Ask doctor Himpens for advice. Most other medications are still absorbed after Roux en Y gastric bypass as well as after duodenal switch. Many patients experience some hair loss or thinning after surgery. This usually occurs between the fourth and the eighth month after surgery. Recommended are a daily zinc supplement and a good daily volume of fluid intake. All patients experience natural hair re-growth after the initial period of loss. Which vitamins doe I need to take afterwards? Zinc, calcium and multivitamins (especially B and D). This will be prescribed by the doctor when you leave the hospital. The coordination officer will help you in case of problems to find the right doses. How is the aftercare foreseen? We ask you to send us a blood test result every 3 months (first year after surgery). From the second year every 6 months suffice. This can be done in Belgium or in your home country. The coordinating officer got a list of private laboratories in several countries which can be contacted for you to do these tests (e.g. when your GP is not willing to do the aftercare).
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