What to Expect

At North Mississippi Medical Center, we consider weight loss of more than approximately 30-50% of pre-surgery weight a good result. For instance, a person weighing 300 pounds who loses 90 pounds would be considered to have a good weight loss result. We expect about 85-90% of patients to achieve good to excellent results.

The average patient will lose about 30-35% of the pre-surgery weight, but results vary from person to person. A majority of patients will reach a normal weight. Successful weight loss reduces or resolves high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and decreases or eliminates elevated blood pressure in approximately 90% of hypertensive patients. But, results are individual and not guaranteed.

Benefits of Surgery

Weight loss is not the only reason that weight loss surgery should be undertaken. The more important benefits of surgical treatment are the improvements of general health and quality of life. The following medical conditions are normally improved or resolved after weight loss:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Respiratory insufficiency (shortness of breath)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and/or heartburn
  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Low back pain, degenerative disk disease, arthritis, degenerative joint disease
  • Reduction in medications
  • And more

Setting Realistic Expectations

The goal of surgery is to help you lose more than half of your excess weight. This can reduce or prevent health problems. It is not cosmetic surgery. Keep in mind that:

  • Surgery is meant to be permanent. You will need to make lifestyle changes for the rest of your life.
  • You must commit to making good food choices and being more active after surgery, otherwise you will not maximize your weight loss.
  • You will not reach a healthy weight right away. Most of the weight is lost steadily over 12-24 months after surgery.
  • The surgery is a tool that will help you lose weight. But, by being diligent with exercise and attending support groups and workshops, your chances of losing more weight will dramatically increase.
  • In order for you to make the right decision, you will be scheduled for several appointments with a variety doctors and/or specialists, a psychologist, a dietitian and other departments to have lab work and tests done. During these visits, you will be able to ask questions and gain more information about the surgery and recovery period.

Potential Risks & Complications

Surgery for morbid obesity is considered major surgery. As with all surgeries, bariatric surgery carries the risk of general anesthesia and potential complications that are more common as weight increases. Our complication rate is quite low at 1-2%.

If you are interested in bariatric surgery to get control of morbid obesity and other health problems, you must first consider the benefits to be gained from surgery versus the risks that you must go through in order to have the surgery. Usually the risks occur right away when the surgery is performed. The benefits take a while to pay you back in the form of improved health, reduced long-term risk of illness and lifestyle enhancement.

Your surgeon will discuss any specific concerns with you before scheduling surgery.

Hospital Stay

bariatric unit roomThe Bariatric Center is a private 24-bed unit located on 3 North at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Our surgeons perform weight loss surgery on Tuesdays. Patients spend two nights at the Bariatric Center before going home on Thursday.

Our patients are up and walking around our unit an hour after returning from surgery. We encourage our patients to walk at least 1 mile per day while staying on our unit, and many walk much more.

While at the Bariatric Center, you will also meet with our dietitian.

The Bariatric Center has no visitation restrictions, and someone can spend the night with you if you choose.

Are you eligible for weight loss surgery?

Take our 60-second assessment