Weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery or gastric band surgery, is a highly specialized field of plastic surgery, so you’ll want to take great care when choosing a gastric surgeon. Here are some questions to ask when choosing your weight loss surgeon.

How many gastric bypass procedures (or gastric band procedures) have you performed? Because stomach bypass surgery is a relatively major operation, you’ll want to choose a surgeon who does gastric bypass surgeries on a regular basis, as opposed to one who specializes in other types of surgeries, but periodically performs weight loss operations.

Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)? It’s important to choose a surgeon who is board certified by the ABPS because to become board certified, the surgeon will have had to undergo not only additional training in plastic surgery, but also additional testing beyond medical school and residency.

Have you had any specialized training in bariatric surgery? Some (but not all) plastic surgeons may also have completed an additional Fellowship or other post-residency training program in bypass surgery. Depending on the surgeon’s other qualifications, you might not necessarily rule out any surgeons who haven’t had additional training, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

What type of follow-up care will I receive and for how long? You should always ask what will happen    after gastric bypass surgery before you schedule your procedure so that you can be prepared. For example, after gastric surgery, you’ll need to wear a compression garment for a period of time to help your body heal, so you’ll want to make sure to have a couple of those on hand before the day of your surgery. Bariatric compression garments, also known as body shapers, come in a variety of styles, so ask your bariatric surgeon which types will give you the best possible results.

What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery, also known as stomach stapling, is a weight loss surgery that shrinks the stomach and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine.

During bariatric bypass surgery, gastric bypass surgeons use surgical staples or plastic bands to create a small pouch at the upper end of the stomach. The pouch is then connected directly to the small intestine, allowing the food to bypass the upper portion of the intestine. Because the stomach itself is smaller, you’ll feel fuller faster, and because the food is bypassing part of the intestine, fewer calories are absorbed.

Some plastic surgeons prefer laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery to traditional gastric bypass surgery. During laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, the gastric bypass is done through small abdominal incisions with the help of a small tube fixed with a camera.

Laparoscopic bypass surgery is less invasive than other weight loss surgeries, which makes recovery from gastric bypass surgery easier. However, it’s not appropriate for everyone. Ask your surgeon which type of bariatric surgery is best for you.

After weight loss following gastric bypass surgery, you’ll need to wear a bariatric compression garment to help with the healing and to help contour your new shape. Your options include body shaper briefs, mid-calf body shapers, mid-thigh body shapers, and ankle-length body shapers.

Mid Thigh Body Shaper with Bra Top

You’ve tried diet and exercise, but nothing you’ve done has helped you lose weight. If you’re now thinking about bariatric surgery, it’s important that you understand your weight loss surgery options.

Gastric bypass surgery (stomach stapling) is a type of plastic surgery during which the plastic surgeon staples the stomach in order to make it smaller. The smaller stomach pouch is then connected to the lower part of the small intestine, allowing food to bypass part of the intestine. The result is that you feel full when eating less and you absorb less calories.

Gastric bypass surgery is sometimes done through tiny incisions in the stomach. A small camera is inserted through the incisions and used to guide the surgeon’s movements. This procedure is known as laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

Lap band surgery is similar to traditional gastric bypass in that the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch. Instead of staples, an inflatable band is used to cinch the upper part of the stomach so that you can’t eat as much at one setting. However, the intestine is not bypassed during lap band surgery, so you will absorb the calories you do eat.

When recovering from weight loss surgery, you’ll need to wear a bariatric compression garment for the first few weeks. Options for bariatric recovery garments include abdominal binders, compressions girdles, body shaper briefs, mid-calf body shapers, mid-thigh body shapers, and ankle-length body shapers.

Weight loss surgery recovery time will depend on the type of bariatric surgery you have. Ask your plastic surgeon which type of weight loss surgery is right for you.