Step 9

First Follow-Up Appointment:

Somewhere between 10 days and two weeks after the surgery patients come in for a follow-up visit. At this time, patients receive instruction and counseling on transitioning to a soft diet. Other important behavioral changes are also reviewed, including eating slowly, increasing exercise and compliance with daily vitamin supplements. After surgery, patients begin a series of follow-up appointments.

Step 10

Patients begin a series of follow-up appointments with Dr. Stellato, Dr. Hallowell, or Dr. Jasper and the nursing team, that are spaced at intervals of two weeks, four weeks, three months, six months, one year after the surgery and yearly thereafter. The main purpose of these visits is to monitor the individual's revised eating habits, exercise regimen and progress of their weight loss. Lab work to check vitamin levels will be done at each visit.

Step 11

Post-operative patients and families are encouraged to participate in a regular series of Support Group Meetings that are for post-op patients only. Having been through the surgery and the substantial life changes afterwards, these individuals have different support needs. The meetings are structured to provide ongoing information to assist post-op patients in their recovery and ongoing lifestyle modifications as well as address any concerns, issues or problems that they have had. The meetings provide an open discussion forum for these people to discuss any related experiences or issues that they would like to cover.

Step 12

Post-op patients continue scheduling visits with the Bariatric Surgery Program team to monitor their continued health and progress in keeping their weight at the optimum level.

To learn more about the Bariatric Surgery Program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stellato, Dr. Hallowell or Dr. Jasper, contact our Program Coordinators.