A WLS FAQ Session With Dr. Keith Gersin
June 7, 2013WLS FAQ Session
Dr. Keith Gersin of Carolinas Healthcare System responds to frequently asked questions that prospective patients ask of his center. His insights and answers are valuable to many pre-op patients as well as those considering weight loss surgery. Please note that some of Dr. Gersin's responses relate to his center only and that not all surgery types are included in the discussion.
WLS Video FAQ Transcript Introduction by Dr. Gersin (Video included below the transcript)
Dr. Gersin: Carolinas Healthcare System has a weight loss and bariatric program which consists of teams of surgeons as well as teams of non-surgeons to help people who are struggling with weight issues. I think that one of the things that sets us aside is the fact that we have all of these specialties under one roof. And that also includes dietitians, exercise physiologist, and mental health providers to help people with their weight loss needs.
Who is a candidate for weight loss surgery?
Dr. Gersin: Patients who are candidates for weight loss surgery have body mass indices greater than 35 and that’s roughly about 100 pounds above ideal body weight.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Dr. Gersin: Everybody is different in terms of the amount of weight that they can expect to lose with weight loss surgery. It’s difficult for any clinician to give an actual estimate of how much weight someone will or won't lose. However, we know that with two of the procedures, specifically Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomies, by one year the majority of the patients can lose somewhere around 60-70 percent of their excess body weight.
What are my options for weight loss surgery?
Dr. Gersin: There are several options for weight loss surgery. The most common is the Roux-en- Y gastric bypass procedure. That’s been around since the 1960’s and now it is performed laparoscopically since the 1980’s. A second weight loss option is a relative newcomer and that’s called the sleeve gastrectomy. That’s been around for approximately five years. And what that procedure does, is that it removes 60 or 70 percent of the stomach. Also, an extremely successful procedure again with excess body weight loss somewhere around 60 percent. And then the final procedure, which is losing popularity in some regard, is laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. We still offer all three procedures but the majority of what we do are either gastric bypasses or sleeve gastrectomies.
What are the risks and complications?
Dr. Gersin: The risks and complications associated with surgery fortunately are rare. The ones that are most concerning are leaks from staple lines and bleeding. Certainly in our center those risks are well below the national average and way less than one percent. A majority of patients can experience some early nausea but that tends to improve over the first week or two.
Which weight loss surgery is right for me?
Dr. Gersin: All patients should discuss with their clinicians which particular surgical procedure is right for them. I think it’s important that what ever procedure the patient chooses... that he or she is comfortable ultimately the decision that they make.
Will weight loss surgery improve my health?
Dr. Gersin: The goal of weight loss surgery (in addition to losing weight) is to improve upon the patients health. We often see patients who have many comorbidities in addition to being overweight... such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and the goal of these operations really is improve or to eradicate these other diseases.
What is the recovery time for weight loss surgery?
Dr. Gersin: Recovery after surgery really depends on the procedure that is being performed. I would say that in general most patients are home by two days after surgery. So they spend two night in the hospital and the majority of patients are back to work by two weeks after surgery, We would ask that nobody preform any heavy lifting over ten pounds for six weeks after a surgical procedure.
What can I eat after my weight loss surgery?
Dr. Gersin: The diet after surgery in general involves liquid diet for the first week, a blended diet during the second week , a soft diet during the third week, and then by a month after surgery most patients are back to eating their pre-operative diets…just in smaller quantities.
Video of FAQ session: