Bariatric, or weight loss, surgery has the power to improve your health and well-being for the rest of your life. You’ve probably heard it’s not a quick fix or miracle surgery for weight loss. But when paired with effective lifestyle and diet changes — and the support of your Banner Health team of experts — it’s a major step toward enjoying the healthy, active lifestyle you deserve. This is a positive turning point for you, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

1. Your Care Experience:
Bariatric Surgery

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Bariatric, or weight loss,
surgery has the power
to improve your health
and well-being for the
rest of your life.
You’ve probably heard it’s not a quick fix or miracle surgery
for weight loss. But when paired with effective lifestyle and
diet changes — and the support of your Banner Health team
of experts — it’s a major step toward enjoying the healthy,
active lifestyle you deserve.
This is a positive turning point for you, and we’ll be with
you every step of the way.

3. Why Choose Banner?

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Our Experience at Work for You
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At Banner Health, our highly qualified, skilled specialists work with a dedicated team of weight loss
experts to provide all the support and reassurance you’ll need throughout your journey.
Our bariatric surgery team in
Phoenix has provided care for
more than 5,000 patients, so
you know you’re in good hands.
We offer minimally invasive
surgical weight loss
procedures, which means a
quicker recovery and less time
in the hospital for you.
Four Banner Health hospitals
in Arizona have been nationally
recognized by the Metabolic
and Bariatric Accreditation and
Quality Improvement Program
as multidisciplinary programs
that improve patient outcomes
and long-term success.

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We believe in preparing you physically and
emotionally for bariatric surgery. You’ll have a
dedicated team working together to provide
the compassionate care and guidance you need
before, during and after surgery.
Your bariatric surgeon will help you begin making
the changes that will lay the groundwork for a
healthy future, answer questions and perform
your surgery.
Your anesthesiologist will carefully and precisely
administer your anesthetic.
Your nurses will help you prep for surgery, assist
during it and manage your recovery.
Your psychologist will help you understand the
emotional changes you’ll experience after surgery.
Your dietician will help you learn what, when and
how you should eat.
Our Team in
Your Corner

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Because we understand that this procedure
is one of the most important things that will
happen in your life, we do everything we can
to help make you comfortable and confident
and keep you successful in maintaining your
weight loss for the rest of your life.
David Podkameni, MD
Bariatric Surgery, Arizona

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GASTRIC BYPASS
A small stomach pouch is connected to
the small intestine to create a shortened
path for food to travel.
Bariatric Surgery Types
GASTRIC SLEEVE
(OR SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY)
Part of the stomach is removed, and a
narrow tube, or “sleeve,” is created from
the stomach that remains.
Our surgeons at Banner Health perform two of the most common bariatric surgeries — gastric bypass
and gastric sleeve. Almost all surgeries are performed with minimally invasive methods to improve the
ease, speed and safety of your recovery.

8. What to Expect

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During Your
Procedure
During a gastric bypass procedure, your
surgeon will create a small pouch at the
upper part of your stomach and close
off another portion of your stomach.
The surgeon will then create a “bypass”
by cutting and connecting the small
intestine to the new stomach pouch.
During a gastric sleeve procedure, your
surgeon will remove the large, round
part of your stomach and leave behind a
smaller stomach that will hold less food
than your original stomach.
Nerves are normal, but we’ll do
everything we can to keep you feeling
calm and confident and to ensure that
things go smoothly.
The whole procedure takes just
90 minutes on average.
This procedure takes just one
hour on average.

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Schedule all your presurgery tests and consultations, during which your Banner
Health team will take a close look at every aspect of your health. You may need to
see a cardiologist, pulmonologist or other specialists.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that’s easy to slip on and off — your middle
will be sensitive after the procedure, and you won’t want to squeeze into
anything too tight.
Care Team Tips
Start your medically supervised diet program and healthy lifestyle changes at least
three months before your procedure. Your doctor will share a detailed diet plan to
follow post-op so you can stock up ahead of time.

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You can expect lots of phone calls from us
after surgery to make sure you’re OK and to
proactively pinpoint any problems you may
be having. Our goal is to make sure that
you have everything you need to assist you
throughout this journey.
David Podkameni, MD
Bariatric Surgery, Arizona

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Your Recovery

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After Your
Procedure
After you wake up in the recovery room,
you’ll move to a regular floor, where you’ll
be on a liquid diet. After a few hours, you
can expect to get out of bed to walk and
move around. The next day, if everything is
OK, you’ll be able to go home.

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Care Team Tips
Expect to lose weight quickly, especially during the first three to six months. You
may also feel tired and achy, and possibly experience mood changes, dry skin and
hair loss. These problems should go away as your body adjusts.
Activity helps recovery. The first week, start by walking, moving around the house,
showering and using stairs. After two weeks, incorporate moderate exercise into
your daily routine.
As soon as you get home, start with a modified liquid diet while your body adjusts,
then introduce soft foods in the first month and gradually add vegetables
and proteins.

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This surgery has basically given me my life.
I stand up taller — I smile more. I went out
and got a job in the career that I wanted. I
do mom things with my kids. When I was
20, I couldn’t do these things. Now I’m 40,
and I feel good about myself. I’m making
memories with my family —notjustwatching
themmakememories.*
Danielle Good
Phoenix, Arizona / Gastric Bypass Patient
*Individual results may vary

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Q&A: The Basics
How much pain will I be in?
You’ll be under anesthesia throughout the procedure and should feel no pain. Afterward, you may
experience pain at the incision site or in your neck and shoulders.
Q:
What medications will I need to take?
Bariatric surgery reduces your body’s ability to absorb vitamins, so you’ll need to take multivitamins,
calcium and in some cases, an iron supplement. If you took medications for diabetes or other
conditions before surgery, you might not need them post-op. Your doctor will let you know.
Q:
How physically limited will I be when I return
home?
Avoid all strenuous activity for three weeks. Limit your exercise to daily walks, gradually increasing the
distance as much as you can. After about 30 days, you may be able to increase your activity. (Water
aerobics, which is easy on your joints and back, is a good option.) You should be able to return to work in
two to three weeks.
Q:

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Q&A: What You’re Really Wondering
When will I be able to drive?
Avoid driving for about two weeks. Ask a friend or family member in advance to help (or sign up
for a ride-sharing service), and check with your doctor before you get back behind the wheel.
Q:
When will I be able to have sex?
Everyone is different — some are able to resume their sex life within a week or 10 days post-op,
while others wait up to three weeks. It depends on how well your recovery is progressing and
how comfortable you feel.
Q:
When will I start feeling like myself again?
You should be able to return to your regular activities, work and exercise about two to three weeks
after you return home and be fully recovered within two to three months.
Q:

18. Your ‘What Do I Need?’ Checklist
Ask your doctor about any convenience items to buy
now, such as support pillows, a shower stool or a long-
handled shoehorn.
Thoroughly clean your home, stocking up on disposable
items such as plates, cups and utensils.
Purchase or prepare plenty of premade meals — or sign
up for an on-demand meal or grocery delivery service.
If your bedroom is located upstairs, consider a
temporary relocation to the first floor.
Remove tripping hazards, such as loose cords or rugs.
Share a spare set of keys with somebody you trust in
case of an emergency.
Evenbinge-watchinghasitslimits.Thinkaboutalternative
formsofentertainment,suchasreadingorcrafting.
Devise a plan for a new health regimen that includes
diet and exercise — surgery is only the first step in your
weight-loss journey.
Arrange for a loved one to take you home and stay by
your side for 24 hours.
Create a log to track your medication regimen. That way,
you don’t have to rely on memory alone.
Sign up for an on-demand help service for assistance
with unanticipated or minor needs, such as picking up
supplies or walking the dog.
Follow your dietary guidelines: first, a modified liquid diet,
and then soft foods for the first month, adding proteins
and vegetables gradually.
Pre-Op Recovery
If your friends and family members are far away, use this checklist to help set yourself up for a successful recovery.
Notes

19. Handle household tasks and monitor recovery.
Ensure your loved one takes medications as scheduled.
Encourage movement around the house.
Prevent heavy lifting of anything over 20 to 30 pounds
for six weeks.
Accompany your loved one to follow-up visits.
Communicate any health issues or concerns as soon as
they arise.
Help your loved one maintain his diet post-surgery. Start
with modified liquids, move to soft foods in the first
month and add veggies and proteins gradually.
Offer emotional support to help ease anxiety.
Stock the house with plenty of fluids and comfort aids.
Check with your loved one’s insurance provider
regarding questions about copayment or deductible.
Remind your loved one to eat three balanced meals a
day before the procedure and to replace one meal with a
protein shake. Focus on protein and non-starchy veggies.
The ‘How Can I Help?’ Checklist
Prepare for a gastric bypass procedure to last one to one
and a half hours; a sleeve gastrectomy takes one to two
hours on average.
Since your loved one won’t be able to drive home, drive
her to the hospital one hour prior to the procedure.
Pinpoint the nearest pharmacy en route from the hospital
so you can pick up pain medication on the way home.
Help your loved one review and fill out post-op paperwork.
Don’t worry — gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
are extremely safe procedures, especially at
experienced bariatric programs such as Banner Health.
Procedure Day
Pre-Op
Recovery
Share the following checklist with friends and family members so they know what to expect and how to help.

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