The post operative follow up is very different between gastric bypass and the LAP-BAND®. The following is a generalized schema of post operative visits following both procedures. This is not an absolute timeline, variation may be necessary for individual patients and is determined on a case by case basis.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass:
- One week
- Months 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24
- After your second year, one visit annually
LAP-BAND®:
- One week
- Every 4-6 weeks thereafter or until an appropriate rate of weight loss occurs
Although the short-term effects of weight loss surgery are well understood, there are still questions to be answered about the long-term effects on nutrition and body systems. Nutritional deficiencies that occur over the course of many years will need to be studied. Over time, you will need periodic checks for anemia (low red blood cell count) and Vitamin B12, folate and iron levels. Follow-up tests will initially be conducted every three to six months or as needed, and then every one to two years.
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