AFTER SURGERY

The surgical procedure usually requires a 2 to 3 day hospitalization, and 2 to 4 weeks of recovery. After surgery, eating will progress from a liquid diet, to a pureed diet, to a soft diet, and then to a regular diet. The length of time for each eating phase will be determined on an individual basis by the surgeon.

Post-operative support

After surgery, you'll find that the Center for Obesity Surgery offers a wide variety of post-operative support:

1. Support group. The program therapist and the program nutritionist co-facilitate a weekly scheduled support group for patients. At these meetings patients can raise any and all issues, questions and concerns they might have as they adjust to post-operative life. Attention is also paid to issues surrounding long-term maintenance of weight loss results. Some time is reserved at the end of each session to deal with food-related questions. Patients are required to attend support group regularly for the first six months following surgery. Additionally, from time to time the therapist organizes special sessions centered on special topics raised by patients.
   
   
2. OSSG List. As a supplement to the support group program, the Center maintains a list serve that handles patient comments, questions and issues. Pre-op and post-op patients are invited to join

   Subscribe to AframOSSG
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   This group of patients continues the relationships and support offered in our groups through an online list serve community.
   
   
3. Follow-up. All post-operative patients will schedule visits with Dr. Afram monthly for the first year, every 3 months in the second year, and every 6 months thereafter.
   
   
4. Nutritional Consultation. The program nutritionist is available to answer your questions and address food-related issues as they arise.
   
   
5. Individual therapy. Should you find it necessary, the program psychologist is available for private counseling sessions.
   
   
6. Exercise program. Exercise is recommended 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Dr. Afram and the nutritionist can provide suggestions for developing an exercise program, and of course, fellow patients are an excellent resource.
   
   
7. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The center offers plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for post-op patients performed by the center's plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Paul S. Theiger.