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What to Expect as
a Lifetime Patient
Patient Testimonials
Lifestyle Changes
Follow Up Visits
Helpful Hints

Lab Work

LIFE-LONG lab work is very important in monitoring your progress and allowing us to provide proper medical care for you.

Procedure
 During Weight Loss Stage Within First Year of Surgery Stable Weight Achieved**
Distal Gastric Bypass & Duodenal Switch-Bilopancreatic Diversion Every 3 months Every 6 months N/A
Medial Gastric Bypass Every 3 months Every 6 months N/A
Proximal Gastric Bypass Every 3 months Every 6 months N/A
Adjustable Gastric Band Every 6 months Every 6 months

Once a year*
See Below

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty Every 6 months Every 6 months N/A

The lab work schedule begins 3 months during the weight loss stage, starting three months from your surgery date. Thereafter, every 6 months life-long.    

We can provide lab requests if you are outside our local area or if your insurance requires you go to a "preferred" lab. Make sure the lab sends us the results.  

*In addition to the regular lab work, the Adjustable Band patient must have an upper GI with barium swallow test once a year.   

We have found that those patients who adhere to this follow-up program do very well in their weight loss and maintenance of good health.

For your success, it is imperative that you comply with this scheduled follow-up program, which includes the scheduled appointments after surgery and lab work. We encourage that you track these on your calendar to stay current.

Out of Town Patients
The above schedule also applies to you. Visits may be replaced by phone calls from you to our patient advocate or nurse, if you are unable to come in. Please track these on you calendar to stay current.

Call us to obtain your lab slips when due and have the lab fax or send us your test results.

Please call in monthly until you are at goal weight. You should call in every three months thereafter, sooner if you are experiencing problems or weight regain.

Reminder: All patients must have lab values prior to any elective or non-elective surgery.  This is due to potential slow healing or complications.

 

 


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