Weight loss surgery

You may be eligible for the surgery if you meet certain criteria. This includes if:

• you have a high body mass index (BMI) (over 40) or a BMI over 35 and an obesity-related condition that might improve if you lost weight, eg, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure
• you've tried all other weight loss methods, such as dieting and exercise, but have struggled to lose weight or keep it off
• you agree to long-term follow-up after surgery – such as making healthy lifestyle changes, taking long term multivitamins and attending regular check-ups
• you do not smoke, or you stopped smoking at least 3–6 months ago.

Your doctor will be able to talk to you about the criteria in more detail. They can also talk to you about whether weight loss surgery is the right option for you. Although the success rate for most weight loss surgery is high, make sure you understand the risks and what to expect before and afterwards.

Weight loss surgery can change the way your body absorbs medicines which will affect the dose or type of medicine you need to take. Learn more about weight loss surgery and medicines.

There are several different types of weight loss surgery. These are the 3 most common types in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Sleeve gastrectomy. This surgery removes the outer three-quarters of your stomach so it’s much smaller than it was before. The rest of the stomach is shaped into a long gastric tube or ‘sleeve’. This means you cannot eat as much as you could before surgery and you'll feel full sooner.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A gastric bypass is where a small pouch is made at the top of your stomach. The pouch is then connected to your small intestine, missing out (bypassing) the rest of the stomach. This means it takes less food to make you feel full and you'll absorb fewer calories from the food you eat.

One anastomosis gastric bypass. This is similar to the Roux-en-Y bypass but requires only 1 not 2 joins of the bowel. This means you eat less and absorb fewer calories.

Image credit: Canva

Surgery on its own does not lead to long lasting weight loss. It is only an opportunity/tool for you to change eating habits, increase daily physical activity and commit to lifelong follow up. 

There can be problems, even a long time after the operation. Problems may be related to:

• The surgery itself, depending on the procedure, eg, leaking from a staple line/join, stricture, reflux or hernia. Another operation may be needed.
• Missing vital vitamins and minerals. Supplements may need to be taken for the rest of your life to prevent this. Eating a good diet is also helpful.
• The major change you’ve had. Your body image and the way other people relate to you can take quite a lot of adjusting to.

The success of any obesity surgery requires you to take responsibility for your eating and exercise patterns. You need to regularly monitor your weight and attend your follow up appointments as part of achieving your goal and staying healthy.

Here are our top tips for getting the most from your weight loss surgery.

1. Make lifelong diet changes 

It’s important to follow a healthy diet after your surgery. You will need to cut out high calorie, low nutrient foods such as sweets and soft drinks and limit highly processed foods, eg, pies, sausages, biscuits and chips. Instead, you’ll need to eat foods that are high in protein, like eggs, milk, fish and nuts and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

You will need to eat smaller qualities of food and chew your food slowly. Do not drink while eating (but drink sufficiently between meals). Stop eating as soon as you no longer have the feeling of being hungry (fullness).

Alcohol is high in calories so you’ll also need to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink.

2. Make a habit of exercising regularly

Exercising may feel difficult at first because obesity puts a lot of strain on your body. Regular exercise is vital for maintaining a healthy weight post-surgery and it also plays a big part in your mental wellbeing. Find an exercise you enjoy, join a class or fitness club, or find a walking buddy. Set some fitness goals and make a commitment to achieving these. Start slowly and build up. Record your progress so you can see how you improve over time.

3. Have a good support network

People may react differently to your weight loss and you might get comments about your body that you’re not used to. Make sure you have someone who understands, to talk to and support you on your journey – whether it’s a friend, family member or a health professional.

4. Think about any underlying issues that contributed to your weight gain

There are many physical and psychological issues that contribute to weight gain, and many of the triggers that caused you to gain weight will still be present after your surgery. Again, consider talking to someone who can help you readjust.

5. Monitor your medications

Losing weight can affect the amount and type of medications you take. Make sure your specialist and GP know which medications you’re taking, and let them know about any new side effects.

To find a weight loss surgery service within your area, use the location filter under the map (mobile view) or at the bottom of the search results (computer view). 

Source: HealthPoint services directory used with permission.