Adjustable Gastric
Band Patients

Careful follow-up visits have long been documented to enhance the success of the operation. New information will be given to you at each appointment. It is imperative that you keep every appointment, as each stage of your recovery offers new challenges.  We will be able to offer you a number of solutions, if we are aware of your situation. If you have any dietary or lifestyle questions or problems, please contact our Patient Advocates or Nurse. 

One Week After Surgery
You are on liquids only by mouth. We will evaluate your post-operative status and your surgical wound. You will meet with a Patient Advocate to review your dietary program and supplements.

Please note:  At the provider's discretion, you may be asked to schedule an appointment prior to your six (6) week post-operative visit. 

Six Weeks After Surgery
Based on your individual progress, you will receive your first band adjustment. Only clear liquids are allowed in the 8-hour period before band adjustments. Nothing by mouth is allowed in the 4-hour period prior to band adjustments. Only warm liquids are allowed for 48 hours after band adjustments (no pureed or solid food). 

Nine to Twelve Weeks After Surgery
At the Introduction to Solid Foods, around week 9-12 Post-Op, you will begin filling in the 20-Day Food Diary that you must keep daily. When this diary is completed, patients are to mail in the diary to the Advocate, or call to schedule an appointment to meet with the Advocate.

Subsequent Office Visits
The doctor will determine the frequency of subsequent visits, however, a monthly visit should be anticipated and scheduled even though the band is adequately adjusted.

Set Adjustment Achieved
Once that set adjustment has been reached, an office visit is to be scheduled every 3 months until goal weight is achieved.

Goal Weight Achieved
Once goal weight is achieved, there is to be a yearly appointment. These yearly appointments are very important for our follow-up of your progress. This schedule helps us closely monitor your weight loss status. It helps us help you make a successful adjustment to the surgery and stay healthy.

Ongoing Communication
If at any time you are having medical problems, please let us know right away. 

Life-Long Labwork
It is very important in monitoring your progress and allows us to provide proper medical care for you. Lab tests must be drawn every three months during the weight loss stage, starting three months from your surgery date.  Thereafter, you will need to have labs drawn every six months for life-long. 

In addition to the regular lab work, the Adjustable Band patient will be required to have an Upper GI with barium swallow test once a year beginning one year after surgery. 

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

Please visit the lab work area of the SWLC website for further details.

Continued Follow Up
We have found that those patients who adhere to this follow-up schedule do very well with their weight loss and maintenance of good health. For your success, it is imperative that you comply with this scheduled follow-up, which includes appointments, lab work, and communication. We encourage that you track these on your calendar to stay current. 

Out Of Town Patients
The follow-up schedule also applies to you. After your first adjustment, if you live 150 miles from our office, a monthly follow-up telephone call to the Patient Advocate may take the place of your monthly office visits.  If it is determined that you need an adjustment, that procedure must be done in our office.  Please track these weeks on your 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.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you cannot keep your office or phone appointments, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance to allow another patient to use the time. There is a $25.00 charge if you do not call to cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance.