Gastric Sleeve Insurance Coverage: Criteria Varies by Insurer. Insurance carriers cover the cost of gastric sleeve surgery if you meet certain pre-specified criteria.
Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Dallas, Texas Gastric Sleeve, Lap Band. Welcome to the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery - led by Dr. Nick Nicholson, one of the most experienced minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeons in the country. He instructs surgeons around the world on bariatric procedures on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and W. L. Gore & Associates. Nick, along with a full staff of surgeons, nurses and other experienced clinicians, have helped over 1. Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass, LAP- BAND and Revisions. Weight loss surgery is a monumental decision that patients often arrive at after many years of suffering with obesity. The physical and emotional ramifications of the weight itself, as well as the many conditions that often ride the coattails of obesity, can dramatically cut lives short. Obesity is an epidemic that can be partially addressed by expert, compassionate weight loss surgery, comprehensive after- care, and a patient's commitment to change his or her lifestyle through diet and exercise. We are medical professionals who are not only committed to the highest standards of surgical technique, but are wholly committed to excellence in patient care. We understand that bariatric surgery affects patients physically and emotionally, and we provide support every step of the way - from choosing the best surgery to addressing your personal weight loss challenges and goals and preparing for surgery, to recovery, after- care, and long- term support. Our patients know that they have a partner in their weight loss surgery with the Nicholson Clinic. And the word is spreading! Nicholson being named one of D Magazine’s “Top Bariatric” doctors for 1. Nicholson Clinic is accredited and dedicated to quality, operating at Centers of Excellence as recognized by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and facilities awarded the Blue Distinction designation by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Contact us today to learn more about bariatric surgery and how it can help you! Recovery From Gastric Sleeve - Pain & Other Fun Things. You know what procedure you’re going to have. You’ve picked your surgeon. Insurance has agreed to cover the procedure. You’ve even been scheduled for surgery! You’ve done your research and the big day is coming soon, but what happens after surgery? Surgery Day. After your gastric sleeve surgery you will wake up in the hospital, a bit groggy and without a lot of pain. You may actually feel happy. This is usually due to the excellent pain medication your doctor has already administered but it’s also due, in part, to the sense of relief that comes from knowing that you’re done and safe. Pain. Advertisement. Pain is typically moderate on the first day. You still have your IV in your arm and it’s easy to administer pain medication as needed. Be sure to communicate to your nurse or your surgeon what you need. The incision that typically causes the most pain is the site that the surgeon removed a large portion of your stomach. How Does a Gastric Sleeve Affect Dieting and Help Weight Loss? The goal of all bariatric surgery is to provide a physical change in the digestive system that helps. This is typically located in the lower left quadrant of your abdomen. It could also be on the right side. You may experience residual nausea from the anesthesia but this should improve quickly. Diet. Nothing by mouth at this point. Some surgeons allow their patients to have mouth swabs. You’ll probably feel dehydrated and want to drink something, but you likely won’t be able to do this until the following day. Your throat is going to be sore and swollen from the ET tube (breathing tube during surgery) so its not pleasant to eat or drink at this point anyways. You will be exhausted and while you might worry that you’ll be hungry, its likely that you will not be hungry. Part of your stomach has been removed and your hunger causing hormone (ghrelin) levels are likely low. Activity. Your surgeon may actually want you up and walking. This is often to help reduce pain that can result from the CO2 used during laparoscopic surgery. When you aren’t walking, you’ll mostly be on your back with a slight incline on the hospital bed. Getting out of bed the first day is difficult. Today, your radiologist will administer a swallow test to make sure there are no major leaks before your surgeon will allow you to drink water! You will likely be visited by many people today including nurses, residents, students, surgeons, dieticians, discharge coordinators, physical therapists, and internists. Pain. Pain is typically more noticeable at this point. The anesthesia has worn off and while your pain medications are working, you’re also moving a bit more. When you turn your trunk, pain is evident. Assuming your case was laparoscopic, your pain should be bearable. Different positions will offer different levels of comfort. Your throat is sore, swollen and dry; another source of pain but the small sips of water help. You will be expected to use the IV pain medicine less and use oral medications more. At this point you may or may not be hungry. Many people are still not hungry at this point. But almost everyone is dehydrated and thirsty. Follow the diet that your surgeon recommends. Most surgeons will allow for the following foods at this point. Broth. Unsweetened juice. Milk. Strained cream soup. Sugar- free gelatin. Drink only small amounts of food at this point. Do not drink any carbonated beverages and nothing with caffeine. Caffeine has a slight diuretic effect and one of the major reasons for readmissions after these operations is dehydration. Activity. You may be carted around for your swallow test in Radiology (which is usually in the basement of most hospitals). After your swallow test, your doctor should meet with you again. At this point he’ll probably check your pain, remove your catheter, make sure you can get up and on your feet and answer any questions you might have. A few hours later, your surgeon should discharge you with care instructions for your wounds and prescriptions for pain medication. Make sure you get these filled. Head home and read over your post- operative instructions. Family Members. You are likely to be surrounded by some loving, well meaning, but completely bewildered family members. Your surgeon has discharged you from the hospital. That team of people that you had to help is now gone. Your spouse, family, or friend that has taken good care of you may be back at work. You have to do the heavy lifting. And, you may miss the pain pump or the IV administered pain medications that seemed to work better at the hospital. Pain. Pain is still bearable for most people. Patients often experience the most pain between days 3 and day 6. This is typically because you are up on your feet more, turning your trunk more, and generally more active than before. Typically, people report a pain in the range of 5/1. Your doctor should have given you instructions regarding pain at this point as well. If the pain is unbearable or not what your surgeon told you to expect, you should let your surgeon know. Most of your pain is restricted to the port sites (little incisions on your belly that are probably covered with a small dressing). The biggest port usually causes most of your pain. This is the incision where the surgeon removed the resected portion of your stomach. This incision is often stretched to get the stomach out and that stretching can result in more pain and bruising at this location. Pain should slowly improve each day. Pain that is associated with vomiting, fever, new pains in the shoulder or back, and pains that don’t respond to oral pain medicine, are all reasons to call you surgeon. Diet. Always continue to follow the diet your surgeon has given you. That diet may still just be clear liquids and the possible protein shake. After your doctor clears you from the clear liquid diet, you may be able to start on pureed (mashed up) foods. You will likely eat these soft pureed foods for two to four weeks. This diet includes foods that have the consistency of a smooth paste or thick liquid. There should be no solid pieces of food in the mixture. Foods that blend well are typically recommended. These include: Lean ground meat. Beans. Fish. Yogurt. Soft Fruits. And it helps to blend the solid food with liquids: Water. Fat- free milk. Juice. Broth. Remember to stay hydrated. Your body is used to getting a lot of fluids from food which it will no longer be getting. Stay hydrated and if you’re diabetic be sure to check your sugar levels on a regular basis. Your diabetic medications have likely been reduced as part of your discharge plan. Right now, a sugar of 1. Activity. At this point, you will probably start to feel exhausted. Your diet is limited and your body is not used to the limited number of calories. Its also just been through a major surgery. A lot of your body’s energy is focused on recovery. As always follow your doctors guidelines. As it pertains to activity, this mostly includes rest. Some doctors will want you walking a few times a day around the house. Keep your activity limited. You won’t have the energy for much more. Climbing stairs is acceptable, but step every few seconds. Don’t carry anything up or down the stairs with you. Driving is not permitted while taking narcotic pain medication. Most people are still in too much pain when they twist and turn to think about work. And, surprisingly, many people say they are just too tired to work. Their bodies are still adjusting to the new food regimen. Pain. Pain should not be severe. It should be tolerable but probably nagging. It will be most noticeable when you start to do errands, like getting in and out of your car. Diet. You probably hate your blender at this point. But your diet hasn’t changed from the pureed foods. Its very important to stick to the diet that your surgeon prescribes – this can be tough but absolutely necessary. Eating solids such as nuts or fibrous vegetables could cause your staple line to rupture and you could leak. A leak is life- threatening. The good news is that you’ve already lost weight. And this should encourage you to stick to your new diet. Its still very easy to become dehydrated, so drink your fluids. Activity. Follow the exercise/activity regimen your surgeon has provided. This is typically not more than simple daily walks. In most instances, patients are encouraged to walk 3 to 5 times per day for 5 to 1. Other forms of exercise are generally not recommended. Weight training is typically contraindicated at this point. If returning to the gym is permitted by your surgeon, cut everything in half; half the time at the gym, half the speed/time on the treadmill, half the weights lifted and reps performed. While some people still feel a bit tired, most people are encouraged by their weight loss, feel lighter and some have more energy than they did before surgery. You may need additional support during this stage. Your mood is likely to be up and down. If you haven’t been on the forums, check out this post to see which forums we recommend. The Baritastic App also has a great private forum. Pain. By month 2, you shouldn’t have much pain and you are probably off of all pain medications. If you’re still experiencing pain, make sure your doctor is aware of it. Diet. After a few weeks of soft, pureed foods its time for a change. With your doctors approval, you can typically add soft, solid foods to your diet. These include: This diet usually lasts about 8 weeks or so before your doctor will clear you to eat solid foods. This diet is a big improvement over the soft, pureed foods only diet. Remember, you’re losing weight – stick to the diet. Aside from losing weight, you do not want to risk any complications. Activity. Depending on your fitness level, your bariatric surgeon may approve increased activity (more than just walking) after 3. This may include swimming and low- impact aerobic exercise. For many patients, water aerobics can be a wonderful option. It is easy on the back, hips, knees, and ankles, and is very good cardiovascular exercise. It is worthwhile to investigate gym memberships at facilities that have a pool.
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