You should be convinced that you really want to make this significant change in your life style. You must be sure that you will accept the extremely small bland meals necessary after the operation. The amount of food that you will be able to eat at any meal will be permanently reduced to very small volumes. In the first four to six months, it will be extremely small. Occasionally, you will vomit until you learn how to eat. You will sometimes have a bad day when vomiting may occur repeatedly. (Vomiting is usually related to improperly chewed food). You must have only three meals a day and avoid high calorie drinks. Continuous nibbling of food and/or eating or drinking high calorie foods may “out eat” the purpose of the operation.
You should not be pressured to have this operation. The decision should be yours. However, your spouse or family should be informed. Advice from your Surgeon may be helpful.
Your recovery should be fast and smooth, providing that you follow the diet instructions. You should not do any heavy lifting for four weeks to allow the wound to heal. If you have a desk job you may return to work in one to two weeks. If your job requires heavy lifting you should not return to work for four weeks. You should not drive a car for two weeks after discharge to avoid any liability in the event
of an accident. Aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (for arthritis) must be avoided. You need to let your general practitioner know that these drugs must be avoided.
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