The Importance of Follow-Up After Weight Loss Surgery
Remember when you promised to follow-up for life with your surgeon after bariatric surgery? It is a tough promise to make. After all, life happens and people move, have busy lives with kids and careers and are enjoying life. However, we urge you to take some time out of your busy schedule and follow-up with us – yes, even if you are doing great.
Why is follow-up important?
Regular, life-long follow-up is important for several reasons:
- It can prevent nutritional deficiencies and leads to earlier intervention of abnormal results
- It addresses clinical issues sooner and can lessen the risk of long-term surgical complications
- It provides accountability and results in greater weight loss and better weight maintenance
- It keeps you informed of the latest nutritional guidelines
- It keeps you updated of the latest support services and exercise programs available and gives you an opportunity to give suggestions
- It provides resources to help with issues such as depression, weight gain, etc.
- It results in better long-term clinical research studies
- Keeps our staff happy because they are not up all night worrying about patients they have not heard from in a while
Be a responsible bariatric patient!
Living with a bariatric procedure requires lifelong responsibility. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a balancing act, especially when taking care of a family or needing to travel for business. Remembering to take daily bariatric multivitamins and calcium and ensuring a protein rich diet is not always easy. During these times, it is particularly important to check-in with us so we can ensure proper nutrition and help you find ways of remembering to take the right supplements. We invite you to visit our new office in Shelton, CT where you can sample bariatric products that are too yummy to forget!
Some patients can feel very lonely and can suffer from depression years after weight loss surgery. We understand those challenges and urge you to check in with us, in particular if you are having a hard time. We would love to introduce you back to our compassionate patient community and support services. Please contact Kim Fisher, Bariatric Care Specialist at Griffin Hospital, to find out more about a variety of support services and community events available to our patients.
Letting go of the shame associated with weight gain after bariatric surgery
We are distraught to hear of patients who do not follow-up with their surgeon because they are ashamed of having gained weight back after having a Lap-Band, Gastric Bypass or a Sleeve Gastrectomy. There is no reason to hide. We do not judge, but rather are here to help you find yourself again. We may have some tough words, but we are here to help you through difficult times. We have pioneered new ways of empowering Connecticut patients with support services, like the On Track Workshop, that are particularly tailored for patients who are struggling. We invite you to make an appointment and give yourself the time and attention you deserve!
References:
The Skinny